We all know
that teams have the potential to achieve great things for organizations. At the
same time, this is by no means guaranteed. So what are the seven key factors in
any successful team?
Factor 1: Selflessness
This is my No.
1 factor for a successful team. It should never be “me, me, me” or “I, I, I”
but instead always be “we” or “us.” Every employee should be asking, “What can
I bring to my team?” as opposed to “What can the team bring me?”
If we’re
focused on individual goals all the time, we're not going to achieve anything
as a whole. Instead, focus on team-oriented goals, even if one of those goals
is that we all get better individually.
Factor 2: Communication
Effective
communication is vital to team success. They communicate openly with each
other, sharing their thoughts, opinions and ideas with members of their team;
as well as taking into consideration what others have to say. Communication is
essential for keeping track of progress and working together efficiently on
tasks. Poor communication can lead to crossed wires, that can mean work is left
incomplete/incorrect or conflicts can arise.
Factor 3: High Levels
of Trust
A team without
trust will never achieve anything. At the same time, it is important to recognize
that having high levels of trust does not happen overnight. In my experience,
one of the easiest ways of creating trust is to let each other know that you
can be counted on by delivering consistently on what you have agreed to do.
Factor 4:
Mutual Accountability
When
individuals on teams need to account to each other for what they have done to
progress what they agreed to do, things happen much quicker. In truth, most of
us, once we have committed to something, are more likely to do it if we know we
are going to have to report back to the team.
Factor 5: Results
Focus
At the end of
the day, a team exists to deliver results and it is key to keep the focus of
the team on the end result. It is easy, especially when the going gets tough,
to lose sight of the results and get lost in activities that distract.
Factor 6:
Optimism
When a team is
faced with a challenge, it is easy to fall into a downward spiral. Successful
teams on the other hand will generally be optimistic and recognize that, even
if the way forward is not immediately obvious, there is a way forward at the
end of the day.
Factor 7:
Proactive
Successful
teams make things happen and don’t sit back waiting for others to do something
before they get started. They grab the bull by the horns and start to make
things happen.
The Bottom
Line: While all of the above factors really matter, I have also noticed that
you need to underpin them with appropriate rewards and a culture that recognizes
and values team working.
Teams have
basic needs that must be acknowledged and fulfilled if you expect your teams to
experience their greatest success. No team will succeed if these basics do not
exist.
No comments:
Post a Comment