Working as a Goal Oriented Team
Ms. Caryl Pierre Chase
Facilitator/Learning & Development Specialist
To paraphrase James Cash Penney (JC Penney) "the best teamwork comes from people working independently toward achieving a common goal." A goal oriented team is much like a jazz ensemble where the individual member's talents have a chance to shine while contributing to the success of the whole.
Placing a group of people to work together does not a team create. It takes confident, principled leadership that "sets them up for success" to make the magic happen. It requires setting clearly defined goals for the team, relentlessly tracking performance and creating an environment that is fun while expecting and encouraging excellence.
Working within such an environment, among individuals whose talents are aligned to the specific tasks required for the project's overall success and who have fun working together, is nothing short of magic.
The mutual respect, trust and camaraderie engendered by such leadership will get the team through some of its most challenging moments because in any sizeable project those moments will arise.
About goal oriented teams
- When you set clearly defined goals, a goal-oriented team finds a way to get it done. Every member of the team has their individual goals for which they are held accountable and whose successful execution is critical for the overall success of the main goal.
- Open and honest communication is a key feature of goal oriented teams. Key metrics are shared and the team's performance is tracked inexorably. When problems arise, solutions are first proffered by the team member with direct responsibility but suggestions are also entertained from the rest of the team.
- Mutual accountability is another critical feature of goal oriented teams. Under the direction of the team leader, team members hold themselves and each other accountable for the timely delivery of key deliverables. Excuses for non-performance are not entertained. Reasons for non-performance are explored and solutions are always offered.
- Finally, goal oriented teams find ways to have fun. Whether this means having lunch or breakfast together with "fines" being charged for any perceived infringement, for example, food being too tasty, talking about the project on down time or anything that catches the team's fancy. The focus is to have fun and get to know each other outside of the parameters of the project.
The overall outcome of working as a goal oriented team is the positive impact on morale and productivity. In the brand new world of work that is emerging it is imperative that companies recognize that work and fun are not mutually exclusive. Go Goal Oriented Teams!!