Today, most of us have been involved in a team project, either as the leader or a contributor. The team concept, if structured properly, can be a very successful option for any company or organization. You're able to pool a great variety of resources with various backgrounds and strengths to achieve a desired outcome. However, there also needs to be a proper foundation set in order for a team to function effectively and efficiently. So, in this month's article I want to share my own key learnings and observations on how you can use the team concept to bring about success.
Okay, you've been "appointed" as the team/project leader, now what do you need to do to lead your team to success. Here are important steps to take to move along the path to achievement and success:
1. Develop a team vision and clearly define roles
Start with a project kick-off meeting to accomplish this task and engage the support/sponsorship of an Executive Team member
Ensure that the team vision and roles are agreed upon and committed to in writing
2. Establish project accountabilities and measurements
Develop a weekly or biweekly meeting schedule - This will allow for the team members to share their status, look for feedback and bring problems to the forefront. Have an agenda with team member input distributed prior to the meeting and distribute meeting notes with action items as a follow to the meeting.
Implement a project tracker - Create a master project schedule with timelines. Make sure that the team member understands how any delays or changes impact the entire project.
3. Let the team participants determine their own desired outcome
Hold each participant accountable for his/her own actions, progress and results - Again, have the team member commit to these items in writing
4. Define each team player's desired rewards and the reward sought by the organization
Ask that a member of the Executive team communicate the reward sought by the organization during the initial kick-off meeting. - This communiqu? should also address the "What's in it for me?" question for the team members
Then ask the team member to outline the personal and professional rewards he/she is seeking
5. Communicate progress
Ask that each member give a two-minute status report at each team meeting
Enforce the rule that when introducing a problem, the team member must also offer a solution
Apprise the team participants of changes or updates in between meeting dates
6. Enroll stakeholders in the process
Each team member must be responsible for gaining buy-in from stakeholders in his/her department
Ensure that stakeholders are aware of how this project impacts his/her role within the organization and why the company is seeking the success of the project
7. Have team sign-off on successful completion of project
The project isn't complete until all team participants agree on a successful project completion!
Have each team member share his/her key learnings, what worked well and recommendations for improvement
As the team leader acknowledge the strengths and accomplishments noted by each individual team member2005-04-25
Marion M. Chamberlain, MBA
The Lifestyle Strategist
Motivator... Educator? Leader... Coach...
MMC Lifestyle Coaching, LLC, a successful lifestyle strategy development and coaching organization, based in Southern New Jersey, part of the Greater Philadelphia market is led up by Marion M. Chamberlain.
Chamberlain holds the proven experience to make a difference as a coach who supports clients in achieving lifestyle goals, and helps the seemingly impossible in their lives evolve into the possible.
Offering customized programs and products in numerous areas of both lifestyle development and business coaching, Marion's philosophy is to provide the insight and motivational skills to help her clients become the people they want to be. And they truly have, as evidenced by the expanding scope and recognition of her company.
With over a decade of solid professional experience and a Master of Business Administration degree in management/marketing from Rutgers University, Chamberlain's business specialties have included marketing, customer service, international account management an
family-safe home cleaners Lincolnshire ..Last month's edition of Footprints and Monuments illustrated a parallel... Read More
Have you noticed that some people seem to stop listening... Read More
In days past, loyalty was a given. The worker in... Read More
The other day I got a call from a friend... Read More
Leaders are faced with unlocking the potential in the people... Read More
Team Building Question:I'm a manager of a team of 20... Read More
What's the Secret Ingredient That Turns Groups into Teams? Working... Read More
Teams, teams, teams. They're all the rage these days. Whether... Read More
At a time when many companies are scaling down their... Read More
Too many techies get a bad rap for lacking teamwork... Read More
This sports cliche is a memorable phrase that reminds people... Read More
If asked to look at your work calendar for the... Read More
One of the best ways to ensure that your planning... Read More
To be a success is not always to be a... Read More
As the world of manufacturing has become increasingly competitive, managers... Read More
Someone once said - "Feedback is the breakfast of champions."... Read More
When leaders, consultants and managers require ideas, they automatically tend... Read More
"When teamwork kicks in, nobody can beat you." Don Shula,... Read More
Having experienced more than my fair share of conflict over... Read More
It's frustrating when your co-workers, audience members, teenager or even... Read More
On the trail in Northern Canada "Marche" was the word... Read More
The second in a series of 2 articles giving a... Read More
The feedback I'm talking about here isn't some sort of... Read More
Most managers simply herd some people in a room with... Read More
It's the summer of 1973, and a young film director... Read More
maide service in Buffalo Grove ..A lot of effort has been carried out in the... Read More
Leaders are faced with unlocking the potential in the people... Read More
"When teamwork kicks in, nobody can beat you." Don Shula,... Read More
The first in a series of articles giving a slightly... Read More
We exist in such a rapidly-changing environment. Technology is moving... Read More
Someone once said - "Feedback is the breakfast of champions."... Read More
As the world of manufacturing has become increasingly competitive, managers... Read More
Teams don't have to be aligned with the goals of... Read More
It's all about focusing on where the best value in... Read More
Winning teams aren't created by accident. Rather, the team or... Read More
A Successful Team is built around mateship, around respect for... Read More
The grand purpose of coaching is to help your managers,... Read More
I'm often asked, "Why is my team always fighting fires... Read More
There's nothing that matches the power of teamwork to accomplish... Read More
Survival: The Name of the New Economic Game People rarely... Read More
Team Building Question:I'm a manager of a team of 20... Read More
People who lead the best teams realise early on that... Read More
The other day I got a call from a friend... Read More
As a freelance writer myself, I know how important it... Read More
When was your last team celebration? Have you been way... Read More
Did you know your work environment can actually make you... Read More
A tight knit team is a group of competent individuals... Read More
Consensus is the appropriate decision strategy for the most important... Read More
CREATE A MOTIVATIONAL CLIMATE: Create a climate where others find... Read More
Last month's edition of Footprints and Monuments illustrated a parallel... Read More
Team Building |