We have all been a part of a team hopefully at some point in our life, in some capacity. Whether it has been as a member of a sports team or a business team the concept is close to the same- Work together for the greater good of the whole in order to achieve the ultimate goal of success. Every member of a team must be working to contribute to this ultimate goal, so this brings me to my question. If you are on a team, are you truly contributing to the overall success of your team or is your team carrying you along to the finish line? How do you know? What follows are a few things you will need to work on in order to become more aware of your real contribution to your collaborative team. If you are doing some of these things you are a contributor, if you are not... well you have some work to do.
Begin with identifying what your team’s specific goals and objectives are. If there are none, work to create some. It is not even the goal so much that is necessarily the most important part, it is what it does to a teams current reality that is most important. Create measurable goals with easily identifiable milestones, dates and check-in times to make sure the team can track progress toward the goal and away from their current state. Learn the roles and responsibilities of all team members within your collaborative team so you are better able to turn to them for their strengths as well as know exactly who is responsible for what, for the betterment of the entire team. A strong collaborative team is able to understand how the parts affect the whole and what part they play. Identify procedures or processes that are in place for achieving team goals and help create them when they are missing. Teams often run into organizational or other obstacles, so look for ways to clear away obstacles and distractions to the team's accomplishments. By working on getting a group of people in the same book and on the same page, you will begin to look more like a team.
After a group begins to look like a team it is then important for them to function as one. This begins with involving others and keeping them informed the entire way towards accomplishing a goal. In team decisions and actions, actively seek the input of quiet team members, and ask what would make it easier for them to participate. There are always times when people wish they would have said that one thing, but it may have been that little bit easier to say if someone would have asked. So be the person that asks. Once you have asked, or even if someone is contributing on their own, listen respectfully and fully. Make sure that you are listening to understand not just to respond. Hear everyone fully and to the best of your ability and seek clarification when you need it. There will also be times when you learn information ahead of your team. When you have information that affects your team, share it with everyone. Collaborative teams do not withhold information in order to receive personal gain. They understand that as one member goes, everyone goes. Success of a collaborative team is holistic.
There are times when a teams' work seems to never be done. Here is a surprise for you- it's not. Now that you know this, it is important for you to model commitment for the long haul because that is what it is going to be. No one wants to be brought down by negative comments or "can't do it" ways of thinking. If you believe that you and your collaborative team can achieve then you will; if you don't believe then FAKE IT for the good of your teammates! No one needs an anchor to slow them down so don't be one. Instead, energetically and publicly pursue the team’s goals, and adhere to the team’s defined roles, responsibilities, and processes. Demonstrate enthusiasm and commitment for the team’s projects and initiatives as a way of motivating yourself and others. Choose to have a can-do attitude and approach challenges with optimism and energy. Work to become the motor that propels your team forward to eventual success rather than the anchor that slows the entire team down.
Begin with identifying what your team’s specific goals and objectives are. If there are none, work to create some. It is not even the goal so much that is necessarily the most important part, it is what it does to a teams current reality that is most important. Create measurable goals with easily identifiable milestones, dates and check-in times to make sure the team can track progress toward the goal and away from their current state. Learn the roles and responsibilities of all team members within your collaborative team so you are better able to turn to them for their strengths as well as know exactly who is responsible for what, for the betterment of the entire team. A strong collaborative team is able to understand how the parts affect the whole and what part they play. Identify procedures or processes that are in place for achieving team goals and help create them when they are missing. Teams often run into organizational or other obstacles, so look for ways to clear away obstacles and distractions to the team's accomplishments. By working on getting a group of people in the same book and on the same page, you will begin to look more like a team.
After a group begins to look like a team it is then important for them to function as one. This begins with involving others and keeping them informed the entire way towards accomplishing a goal. In team decisions and actions, actively seek the input of quiet team members, and ask what would make it easier for them to participate. There are always times when people wish they would have said that one thing, but it may have been that little bit easier to say if someone would have asked. So be the person that asks. Once you have asked, or even if someone is contributing on their own, listen respectfully and fully. Make sure that you are listening to understand not just to respond. Hear everyone fully and to the best of your ability and seek clarification when you need it. There will also be times when you learn information ahead of your team. When you have information that affects your team, share it with everyone. Collaborative teams do not withhold information in order to receive personal gain. They understand that as one member goes, everyone goes. Success of a collaborative team is holistic.
There are times when a teams' work seems to never be done. Here is a surprise for you- it's not. Now that you know this, it is important for you to model commitment for the long haul because that is what it is going to be. No one wants to be brought down by negative comments or "can't do it" ways of thinking. If you believe that you and your collaborative team can achieve then you will; if you don't believe then FAKE IT for the good of your teammates! No one needs an anchor to slow them down so don't be one. Instead, energetically and publicly pursue the team’s goals, and adhere to the team’s defined roles, responsibilities, and processes. Demonstrate enthusiasm and commitment for the team’s projects and initiatives as a way of motivating yourself and others. Choose to have a can-do attitude and approach challenges with optimism and energy. Work to become the motor that propels your team forward to eventual success rather than the anchor that slows the entire team down.
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