Purpose and related goals are the glue that holds a team together.
Purpose without concrete goals is just a dream. Goals without purpose are
aimless activity. But although they are critical, purpose and goals are not
enough. A team also needs clarity. In particular, team members need clarity
about:
•Members' roles and
responsibilities — not everyone can do everything
•Important work processes —
the way the team does its work, such as making decisions
•Values, norms, and
standards that define what members expect of each other — how conflict, for
example, may and may not be expressed
•The kinds of feedback and
metrics needed to measure progress.
A purposeful team leader fosters and sustains this
environment. Thus, instead of imposing and directing, you as suggest,
support, define, focus on, talk about, expect, lead discussions about, and
evaluate performance against the conditions that foster the spontaneous
formation of a team. In the end only your group's members can make themselves
into a team by freely committing themselves to a mutual purpose.
Well said Ken.
ReplyDeleteGREAT information. NOW if only we can get corporate to read it. Managers and employees.
ReplyDeleteI think that if this was adopted by people in their personal life then it would evolve into the professional world and there would be a revolution in thinking!
ReplyDeleteHaving a great team to work with sure makes life much more bearable, it of course adds to success of all.
ReplyDeleteSending good thoughts from up in Maine.