Assessing the State of Your Team
Do you think there is untapped talent and unspoken knowledge on your team? If so, have your team members work together to learn more about each other’s strengths and areas of potential development. Then discover ways to use these talents to the team’s advantage. You just might find that along the way, you have improved the creative thinking ability and communications effectiveness on your team.
How would you currently rate the level of trust on your team? If it's not what you might hope for, consider suggesting a get-to-know-you better warm-up exercise at your next team meeting — ask about a hidden talent, a first job, where team members grew up. Or have a group milestones dinner and go a level deeper by sharing a significant person or event in your life, and the impact that it (or they) has had on you. Take time to recognize the ways people contribute to the work of the team. Step out of your comfort zone and invite the newest, least-connected team member to join you for lunch.
Is conflict on your team a source of creative abrasion? How diverse is the thinking on your team? How are you capitalizing on those different perspectives to address critical team challenges? Begin with the mindset that conflict is natural, expected, and yes, even desired. Acknowledge and discuss the conflict that everyone knows is currently occurring. Keep the team’s focus and energy on the real competition — the one in the marketplace. Deal with that ferocious firefly. Eliminate trustbusters like sarcastic humor.
Find a way to reconnect with those who are distant, disengaged, or just plain dismal. How much of your team’s energy is wasted with irrelevant, personality-based infighting? In that last high-conflict one-on-one situation, did you ask yourself, “Why would a reasonable, rational, and decent person act like this?” Sometimes, team conflict is simply a failure to communicate. As a leader, what kind of example are you setting? Let the optimal flow and coaching from others help you to resolve it. Remember, don’t be ruled by the tyranny of the "or" - seek out the third way. Learn about a day in your co-worker’s life.
Do you know what the vision for team success is, and how you will know when you get there? As a team, dedicate time to focus on the future. Create a common understanding of the critical role that the group plays in the overall company’s success. Make sure everyone sees how each role contributes and is interconnected and interdependent. Break down those silos that keep you from working collaboratively. Understand the barriers and challenges facing the team.
In our next post, we’ll talk about turning your vision into a concrete plan, celebrating successes, and being the spark that lights up your team. Until then, l e t's talk! Reach me by email or phone: 770-989-7030.
