Building effective teams that work together well and impact the goal and each other positively doesn’t just happen without a plan. Teams need certain tools, strategies, and tactics to help them avoid missing deadlines, experiencing interpersonal conflict, and more. When you understand what teams need to work together effectively, you can set your teams up for success.
Leaders are responsible for the success (or failure) of their team, whatever that looks like. Whether you have built your team through hiring or creating new, or have taken on an established team, they need to have certain traits and requirements for them to work together and achieve organizational goals. See how your team stacks up:
A Purpose
Why the team exists and what the results are supposed to be are especially important for each team member to comprehend. Understanding the meaning behind why the team exists is a vital part of building an effective team that can work together for a common goal. A good leader is needed who can help the entire team understand the vision and hoped-for impact they’re trying to create, and this must be for each member so they are entirely clear, not leaving their own interpretation to enter the conversation. Have each member recite back their understanding so there is no doubt.
A System and Process
It’s hard to do anything efficiently without a system and process that helps drive the projects along. Being organized to run smoothly requires software, tools, and an understanding of developing procedures to get things done most efficiently. For example, potential bottlenecks may arise when roles are assigned, and a process is created to avoid them and avert potential problems (or a process to resolve if one does come up).
Mutual Respect & Trust
Everyone on the team needs to trust and respect each other, but they also need to do the same for themselves. They trust their skills and those of the people on the team. When this happens, no one is second-guessing everything without a solution as the team makes an impact.
Clear Communication
An understanding of the entire communication process is helpful to all group leaders and members. Having a straightforward way to get messages to each other and a sense of everyone’s roles helps projects get done faster and more expertly. Each team member is open to discussions and resolving any conflicts that may show up.
Defined Roles and Responsibilities
When you take the time to define the roles and responsibilities in all teams, it makes it easier for each person to know what to do. It will positively impact the group because it eliminates questions about who is doing what and who to ask about certain tasks. People like knowing what is expected of them, which also applies to their fellow members.
Effective Delegation
While this goes back to having designated roles, so each person knows their responsibility, if the leader isn’t good at delegating each task and discussing all the steps that must be done to finish a project, something might get missed. Delegation should be given to a member’s strengths and abilities to get the job done, but done so in a fair manner.
A Measure for Success
Knowing how to track and measure your team’s actions is a wonderful way to motivate your team and learn how well things are going. If everyone on the team can track the progress being made individually, as well as a whole you can see what even the smallest contribution does to the result. Feedback that is given quickly and regularly helps each member to note their progress; you can have peer-to-peer feedback and/or meetings specifically for this purpose.
Build Relationships Among Team Members
It helps if your teams build relationships that enable them to enjoy the work they do together. When you need to work with and spend time with other people, it doesn’t help for everything to be serious all the time. Instead, find ways to build relationships by taking breaks, enjoying a meal together, and participating in team-building activities, such as eating meals – in the office or outside – helps build camaraderie among you and the members; going to the movies, playing games, or potluck lunches are other ways to bring the team together,
Be Active and Present
The leaders needs to be active and present with their team, meaning they are involved in group work. Helping members with work tasks or making decisions, or by simply observing, lets them know that they are cared for and appreciated, which helps with motivation and engagement. It fosters an inclusive culture that they want to be a part of and work for. It positively elevates the leader in their role and how they are viewed by members.
So, how did your team do? If not a desirable number, you can always regroup and refocus on these needs to create and maintain a highly effective and successful team.
“Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.” – Henry Ford