Becoming a Better Boss Secret 23: Teamwork – Three Must-dos

Team: Two or more people who come together for a common purpose and who are mutually accountable for results.

The number of resources available giving advice on working with teams would indicate that this is a difficult subject. It is. Bringing together people with different personalities, different goals, different perspectives and asking them to focus on a single goal is inherently difficult.

Yet, the value of teams is immeasurable. Effective teams bring tremendous value to organizations. Effective teams are known to increase productivity, find creative and effective solutions to problems, and make better decisions.

To get started in understanding how to help your team work together effectively, here are three must-do’s:

1. DEFINE PURPOSE
   Purpose must be clearly defined for all. Begin with mission – what are you trying to accomplish? What is the work of the team? How does the team’s purpose fit into the overall mission of the organization? Every team must understand why they exist and how their results will contribute to the organization’s success. Clarity must be a priority. Make no assumptions that people understand the purpose of the team and their role on the team. For the team leader, this means providing clarity, opportunities for input and dialogue, and constantly reviewing the work of the team to ensure they are on track in working toward the purpose. It also means getting commitment from the members of the team.
2. VALUE PEOPLE
   Making people feel valued begins with the leader and is ultimately the responsibility of every individual on the team. We must be sure that people are empowered, trusted, accountable, and appreciated. We must also recognize that everyone is different. It is important to take some time to get to know each other – to understand the differences of people on the team. Time spent talking about how to work together to embrace differences, instead of being frustrated by them, is a worthwhile investment. For the team leader, this means providing individual feedback and encouragement; enthusiasm and optimism; flexibility and understanding. One thing that is vitally important is simple appreciation. It is alarming how many leaders forget to simply say thank you.
3. FOCUS ON RESULTS
   Effective teams solve problems, they reach conclusions, and they take action. They continuously complete tasks that take them progressively toward their goals. Success is celebrated in small steps throughout the life of the team and team accomplishments are celebrated! For the team leader, this means providing structure, clear goals, constructive feedback, accountability, and persistent focus.

These principles apply to all teams. Most team members come in excited and ready to jump in. To stay connected to the purpose, they need to be reminded periodically of what their purpose is – and why it is important. All people need to feel valued. They need to know that their time and talents are being used in important ways. Everyone needs to see results.

For more information and 24 more secrets, check out Becoming a Better Boss – Your Guidebook to 25 Fundamental Management Responsibilities which is now available at Amazon.com!