Great teams get big things done. They grow companies, invent new products, and they serve customers with enthusiasm and excellence.
Team dynamics are much different today than in the past due to digital communications, dispersed team members, and member variability. But team success still hinges on some core fundamentals.
Martine Haas and Mark Mortensen outlined these fundamentals in a recent Harvard Business Review article. Here are the highlights.
First, to see how your team is doing, evaluate it on the three classic criteria of team effectiveness. Use a simple scale of 1 (worst) to 5 (best) to keep it simple.
Output. Are customers happy with your output—with its quality, quantity, and delivery?
Collaborative Ability. Do your team’s dynamics help everyone work well together?
Individual Development. Are individual team members improving their knowledge, skills, and abilities?
Then look at how well your team meets the four conditions that drive success for teams.
Compelling Direction. Do you have a common goal that is clear, challenging (but not impossible), and consequential?
Strong Structure. Do you have the right number and mix of members? Are people responsible for tasks from beginning to end?
Supportive Context. Do you have the resources, information, and training you need? Are there appropriate rewards for success?
Shared Mindset. Do team members have a strong common identity? Do you readily share information and understand one another’s constraints and context?
How does your team rate? It’s worth taking a closer look because it’s great teams that make all the difference when it comes to hitting numbers, meeting deadlines, and having some fun while you do it.
Have a great week.
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