Why is this important?
As a team it is essential that there is a foundation consisting of mutual understanding and approach in order to perform well, especially when the team consists of diverse team members. Why is this important? When time pressure kicks in (e.g. deadlines mount), underlying differences in the assumptions of working together (fundaments of how we work as team, what is important) may cause unnecessary frustration, stress and conflict.
What should be the aim as a team to have figured out before the hard work starts?
Based on the brief input previously, one of the main aim of teams should be to create/build a basic, shared body of knowledge about rules/standards/values/etc.
What are the rules, standards, values, etc. of your team, so to say: What is your team culture?
More importantly: Does everyone know it?
Even if you have already a well established team/team that has been working together: Make sure this is clear to everyone. If you get a new team member, assure he/she is briefed. (Tip: New influx of team members is also a good moment to bring “older” team members on the same page again, or redefine rules, standards, values, etc. )