In a world increasingly defined by complexity and rapid change, collaboration is no longer optional: it’s a strategic capability.
The pressure to deliver results, the blending of roles and functions, intergenerational and intercultural challenges, and high turnover rates all demand a step-change in how we work together.
The ability to truly collaborate has become a critical success factor for building resilient and sustainable teams, innovative organizations, and effective leadership.
TEAMEI was born from this awareness: collaboration is not just a technique or a set of tools—it’s a mindset that must be cultivated with intention, awareness, and consistent practice.
That’s why the program blends experiential in-person learning with online sessions, following a 2+2 day format and three remote follow-ups designed to support the practical application of course content in real-world contexts.
The Team Emotional Intelligence (TeamEI) methodology is based on over 20 years of international research, with studies published in peer-reviewed journals.
Starting from the foundational work by Druskat and Wolff featured in Harvard Business Review, and further developed within the CREIO (Center for Research on Emotional Intelligence in Organizations) led by Daniel Goleman, Massimiliano Ghini and his team at the University of Bologna have created a practical framework and set of tools for building an effective Collaborative Playbook inside organizations.
This model outlines a clear cause-effect relationship: emotionally intelligent norms lead to the creation of social capital (identity, psychological safety, and collaborative efficacy), which directly boosts team performance.
One of TEAMEI’s strengths is the evidence showing that it’s not individual emotional intelligence that drives results—but the shared behavioral norms within a team. This makes the approach faster and more cost-effective to implement and scale.
What You’ll Explore
The course combines practical tools, reference models, and insights inspired by the Manifesto for Collaborative Organizations, diving into essential themes such as:
- What TeamEI (Team Emotional Intelligence) really means;
- How to design your Collaborative Playbook;
- The “why” behind working together: purpose, values, shared meaning;
- Defining and aligning on common goals;
- Establishing collaborative norms that enhance both relationships and performance;
- Embedding a continuous improvement process within your teams.
Who It’s For
TEAMEI is designed for those who:
- Lead teams or manage cross-functional projects;
- Work in agile or matrixed environments;
- Want to develop a more inclusive, generative, and relational leadership style, capable of bringing out the best in people.
A Pathway to Learn, Practice, and Apply
During the first in-person session (2 days), participants will engage in group work, exercises, structured reflection, and the use of operational toolkits.
The learning continues through remote support and a second in-person module, where participants will apply what they’ve learned within their own teams, guided by an exclusive methodology and tools to create their Collaborative Playbook.
Massimiliano Ghini
Executive Director
massimiliano.ghini2@unibo.it
" Science now clearly shows what enables teams to collaborate effectively: shared norms, a strong sense of purpose, and social capital built on trust and identity. But knowing is not enough—what we need are models, tools, and above all, daily practice to turn this into real impact. "
Structure
The program lasts three months and includes a mix of tools: self-paced materials, in-person sessions, exercises, project work, and online tutorial sessions to support practical application within participants’ own teams.
The structure includes four in-person days (divided into two 2-day blocks) and three online meetings.
The program schedule is as follows:
- Welcome Meeting (online)
October 1, 2025 – 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM - The Collaborative Playbook (On campus)
October 8–9, 2025 - First Tutorial Session (online)
October 29, 2025 – 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM - Second Tutorial Session (online)
November 12, 2025 – 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM - Creating a Collaborative Culture (On campus)
December 10–11, 2025
COURSES
This module focuses on developing a document that formalizes how a team wants to collaborate.
Following the Welcome Session, participants will be asked to complete a survey that will be used as an example to illustrate how to build this playbook, allowing them to experience firsthand what they will later do with their own teams.
During the two in-person days, we will explore:
- how to establish the fundamentals of a team;
- how to define collaborative norms;
- how to design a collaborative process.
The session will begin with participants sharing their experiences in a peer-to-peer learning format, reflecting on what has been learned and identifying areas for growth.
The focus will then shift to how to make collaborative efforts sustainable and how to build the right culture within the team.
In summary, the three main topics of this session are:
- Collaboration, peer learning, and shared insights;
- Sustaining a collaborative culture;
- Inter-team collaboration as a key element of the “team of teams” model.
Learning approach
The course spans three months and combines in-person workshops, online tutorial sessions, the use of surveys, peer discussion, and the practical application of the methods within participants’ own teams.
Faculty
Faculty members at Bologna Business School work together offering outstanding teaching standards. An international and interdisciplinary approach is guaranteed by a joint team of distinguished national core professors, adjunct, visiting professors, guest speakers and top managers.
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Massimiliano Ghini
Director
European Center for Team Emotional Intelligence
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Giulia Baroni
Management Engineer
Freelance
Networking
Networking takes place between students in the same class, between participants and lecturers, and with students from other courses or previous editions of the same program.
COMPANIES
Over the years, our partners have been constantly involved in the various activities that make up the structure of our programs. Companies belonging to our network participate in project work and master classes; they actively contribute to introducing guest speakers and organizing company visits. Our partners are our first supporters: they sponsor various scholarships, host internships for students and provide professional opportunities for graduates.
The partner companies of Bologna Business School are:
AEROPORTO G. MARCONI ASSICOOP BOLOGNA METROPOLITANA AUTOMOBILI LAMBORGHINI BOLOGNA FIERE BREVINI POWER TRANSMISSION CAMERA DI COMMERCIO DI BOLOGNA CAMERA DI COMMERCIO DI FERRARA CAMERA DI COMMERCIO DI FORLÌ-CESENA CAMERA DI COMMERCIO DI MODENA CAMERA DI COMMERCIO DI RIMINI CAMST CARPIGIANI GROUP CASSA DI RISPARMIO IN BOLOGNA CONFCOMMERCIO EMILIA ROMAGNA CONFINDUSTRIA EMILIA ROMAGNA COSWELL DATALOGIC DUCATI MOTOR HOLDING ENEL ENGINEERING INGEGNERIA INFORMATICA EXPERT SYSTEM FALORNI FASTWEB FERRARELLE FERRARI FERRETTI GROUP FINALMA FONDAZIONE CARISBO FONDAZIONE CASSA RISPARMIO CESENA FONDAZIONE CASSA RISPARMIO DI CENTO FONDAZIONE CASSA RISPARMIO DI IMOLA FONDAZIONE CASSA DI RISPARMIO DI CARPI FONDAZIONE CASSA DI RISPARMIO DI FERRARA FONDAZIONE CASSA DI RISPARMIO DI PADOVA E ROVIGO FONDAZIONE G. MARCONI FONDAZIONE IBM ITALIA FONDAZIONE ISABELLA SERÀGNOLI FONDAZIONE DEL MONTE DI BOLOGNA E RAVENNA FONDAZIONE PER LA COLLABORAZIONE TRA I POPOLI FOOD TREND FOUNDATION FURLA GOOGLE ITALIA GRANAROLO GROUPM GRUPPO COESIA GRUPPO SISTEMA H-ART HSPI HAWORTH HERA HORSA IBM ITALIA IMA ICONSULTING INTESA SAN PAOLO KPMG ADVISORY LABORATORI GUGLIELMO MARCONI LANDI RENZO LEGACOOP BOLOGNA LIGHTHOUSE MANUTENCOOP MAPE MAPS MASAI ITALIA MASERATI MICROSOFT ITALIA MONTENEGRO N.C.H. NUOVI CANTIERI APUANIA OLIDATA ONIT GROUP OPERA SANTA MARIA DEL FIORE PHILIP MORRIS ITALIA POLTRONESOFÀ REGIONE EMILIA-ROMAGNA RICOH S.E.C.I. GRUPPO INDUSTRIALE MACCAFERRI SAP SCS CONSULTING STMICROELECTRONICS SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC SEPS TECHNOGYM TEUCO THE BOSTON CONSULTING GROUP TOYOTA MATERIAL HANDLING ITALIA TREVI GROUP UMBERTO CESARI UNICREDIT UNIEURO UNINDUSTRIA BOLOGNA UNIPOL VEM SISTEMI VERONESI VIABIZZUNO VIDEOWORKS VOLVO CAR ITALIA WPP ITALIA YOOX NET-A-PORTER GROUP
FEES
€3,000 (+ VAT) for registrations from companies and institutions
€2,600 (+ VAT) for individual registrations
The fee includes attendance at the program, all study material available through the online platform and access to Bologna Business School services, which include: Alma personal wi-fi account, use of Computer Lab PCs, use of study areas and access to the internal gym. A large free car park is available in the school park.
Discounts are available:
for early registrations;
for Business Network companies;
for Alma/BBS and Profingest Alumni;
for groups of at least 3 people.
INTERPROFESSIONAL FUNDS
Alumni and Companies can check the availability of vouchers at the relevant Interprofessional Fund:
Fondimpresa – per quadri / middle management
Fondo Dirigenti PMI – per dirigenti di PMI industriali
Fonditalia
Fondirigenti – per dirigenti
Fon.Coop – per aziende cooperative
REQUIREMENTS
The course is reserved for a maximum of 30 participants.
APPLICATION PROCESS
FAQs
Yes, there is a certificate upon successful completion of all courses, the final examination and 70% attendance. The certificate will attest to successful completion of the courses and will award 60 university credits (CFU).
The documents used in the classroom and any further reading or exercises will be uploaded to our platform, whose credentials will be delivered in the classroom.
Should a group of colleagues wish to participate in the program, it is possible to contact the Program Manager to evaluate an ad hoc participation price.
Our short courses do not require a specific course of study. It is important to have a few years of work experience behind you that can help you, inside the classroom, by bringing real cases dealt with and solutions adopted during your work.
