Read on Twitter
The Effective Team
A large part of leadership is creating teams. This ranges from hiring employees for long term positions or creating temporary teams to deliver a project.
Long thread on the traits of high performing teams
…
A large part of leadership is creating teams. This ranges from hiring employees for long term positions or creating temporary teams to deliver a project.
Long thread on the traits of high performing teams
…
The first and easiest task is to identify the skills. Consider Baseball, you need coaches, infielders, outfielders and pitchers; and they all need to be hitters. But this isn't a team yet; it's just a group of individuals and it has limited effectiveness.
An effective team is formed when the individuals unite and their shared-values and common-vision override personal desires. Ego is set aside in favor of the team goals. This TEAM is a greater entity that can accomplish much more than the original group.
The forge
Imagine iron and other elements being transformed into a razor sharp steel blade
The Leader can't force individuals to unite but he can create a culture and environment that transforms a group of individuals into a team by promoting several shared values.
Imagine iron and other elements being transformed into a razor sharp steel blade
The Leader can't force individuals to unite but he can create a culture and environment that transforms a group of individuals into a team by promoting several shared values.
Clear vision and direction
The team understands their mission and purpose. They are assigned goals and know the strategy and tactical steps to accomplish them. The team is committed to the vision and supporting each other to attain it.
The team understands their mission and purpose. They are assigned goals and know the strategy and tactical steps to accomplish them. The team is committed to the vision and supporting each other to attain it.
The right mix of skills and roles
The team has the skills to accomplish their tasks or easy access to acquire them. Roles and responsibilities are clearly defined and understood including secondary and tertiary in case team members are lost.
The team has the skills to accomplish their tasks or easy access to acquire them. Roles and responsibilities are clearly defined and understood including secondary and tertiary in case team members are lost.
Open and timely communication
The team keeps each other informed of operational status and their needs from each other. If there is an issue it is discussed and solved. Passive aggressive behavior has no place within the team.
The team keeps each other informed of operational status and their needs from each other. If there is an issue it is discussed and solved. Passive aggressive behavior has no place within the team.
Mutual accountability & Cooperation
The team members work together to accomplish tasks and move toward the vision. They depend on each other for success and don't try to be the lone hero. They consider each other's needs and desires when making decisions.
The team members work together to accomplish tasks and move toward the vision. They depend on each other for success and don't try to be the lone hero. They consider each other's needs and desires when making decisions.
Culture of continuous improvement and risk taking
The team shares honest feedback with each other and expect the same in return so they can learn and improve. Risk taking is encouraged and innovation praised. Failure is never punished but embraced as a learning opportunity.
The team shares honest feedback with each other and expect the same in return so they can learn and improve. Risk taking is encouraged and innovation praised. Failure is never punished but embraced as a learning opportunity.
Strong leadership
The Leader sets the vision and is accountable outside the team but he is also a team member and subject to these shared values and intra-team accountability . . .
The Leader sets the vision and is accountable outside the team but he is also a team member and subject to these shared values and intra-team accountability . . .
The Leader gives feedback and receives it return. He knocks down obstacles and helps the team succeed. He provides coaching, encouragement and discipline to ensure the success of the team.
Camaraderie and fun
The team works with a sense of adventure and optimism. Humor is embraced and encouraged. They know each other's strengths, weaknesses and desires. and want the best for each other. They are competitive but their eyes are on the team prize.
The team works with a sense of adventure and optimism. Humor is embraced and encouraged. They know each other's strengths, weaknesses and desires. and want the best for each other. They are competitive but their eyes are on the team prize.
These are shared values that have been part of great teams I've been a part of or observed. Most teams don't get to this level of trust and accountability. Ego and fear usually get in the way, but it's amazing when it happens.
What am I missing?
What am I missing?
