Ever felt this about your team?
Abundance of talent… YES
High motivation…YES
Clear roles and responsibilities…YES
But progress in performance… NO
What unseen hindrances might be preventing your team from reaching peak performance? Let’s break down a few crucial factors:
Leadership
Let’s start with the obvious – your leadership. Leading a team is complex, with even many seasoned leaders grappling with its challenges. Key areas of focus include integrity (moral leadership), inspiring your team, coaching, and sharing knowledge. If your team’s collective output is greater than the sum of individual contributions, you’re on the right track.
Autonomy
Just having clarity about roles and responsibilities doesn’t guarantee they’re aligned with the autonomy level your team requires. A somewhat abstract guideline to consider is ensuring the team’s autonomy is maximized without compromising cohesion. Empowering the team to decide their work approach and giving them a sense that they’re making a meaningful impact are pivotal.
Conflict
The capacity for diversity in thought and action within a team is vital. Can team members turn differences in thought and action into productive outcomes? Or do they generate silent conflict with you and among themselves? If there’s a pattern of saying “yes” but acting “no,” or if every decision needs unanimous “buy-in,” your team might be struggling with constructive conflict. A crucial aspect to cultivate is a safe environment where team members won’t feel ridiculed or at risk for sharing their viewpoints.
These invisible forces often boil down to team dynamics. How do these diverse personalities come together to form a well-oiled machine? A good starting point is gaining insight into the aforementioned factors and understanding how they impact the daily experiences of your team members.
Good luck!