While most of us know that there’s no “I” in “team,” many of us are unaware of the benefits of effective teaming – how people with different strengths work together to accomplish goals as set forth by their manager, leader or from within the team directly.
The power of effective teaming lies in creating a resilient entity that can adapt as business needs change and that still holds dignity for the individual. Many managers focus on individuals, but few focus on the team as its own unit, which needs attention, structure and development as much as the individuals do. This is especially important in a time when we have seen an increase in remote work and when businesses are experiencing uncertainty and vulnerability.
Developing effective teams provides leaders comfort in knowing that their team will hold itself accountable to get things done and to learn from challenges and obstacles they encounter along the way.
Four elements of an effective team
How can leaders implement a system through which they know their teams will succeed – no matter what they face?
Creating a purpose for a team
The first element to creating an effective team lies in identifying the team’s purpose. Why does it exist? Do all the team members understand the reason for the team? Managers, executives and leaders must communicate to the team the reason for its existence; this will ensure that all team members understand why they are working together.
When the team is formed, conduct a meeting to discuss the team’s purpose. Encourage team members to talk about the purpose and suggest refinements they may wish to make. This lets the team own the purpose, further strengthening their commitment.
That shared purpose is a unifying factor for any team; when all team members embrace it, they have a greater sense of intrinsic motivation, thereby yielding better results.
Creating values
From there, the team works on creating their values. Through this exercise, they must identify what values they want to own and how they will hold themselves accountable. This is a crucial component to effective teaming, as this discussion generates ideas directly from the teams. A sense of ownership is created, further creating more unity and allowing the team to self-regulate.
Team delegation
An effective team should then work on delegation. They should identify where each individual’s responsibilities will lie; and when, where and how they will carry out those responsibilities.
These are big questions that a team should continuously investigate; answers will help to provide them clarity and avoid stagnation. Along with their leader or manager, the team can conduct recurring check-ins to address these questions and to ensure team alignment.
Ideal structure for teams
Finally, it is important to determine the ideal team structure. During this conversation, delegation is decided – when all team members agree on the roles and make-up of the team. It is at this time when team members can ultimately decide if the team has all the elements to meet its purpose.
Benefits of effective teaming
Both the team and the organization reap the benefits of effective teaming.
Benefits to team members
Through effective teaming, there is greater resilience among individuals. This ability to “roll with changes” and advocate for what is needed makes the team successful. Further, more cross team management minimizes the levels of necessary oversight. Teams will then manage themselves and support each other in adhering to the team’s values.
Stronger feedback loops with other teams – as well as external clients – are another benefit to effective teaming. With a clear sense of purpose, teams have a sense of ownership of their output. That can lead to teams that help other teams to recreate their experiences. Further, in many instances, it will also enable teams to understand how to effectively support clients.
Benefits to business
Every business can benefit from effective teams, continual learning and practicing with building those teams.
When new members join a team that has purpose, values, delegation and structure, they have an easier time understanding the framework in which the team operates. In addition to the shared knowledge, there are examples of how to complete tasks. Further, team members feel like all their questions can be answered, and there is an ease when trying new ways to accomplish those tasks. Ultimately, this leads to more rapid onboarding.
Another benefit that effective teaming provides to businesses is stronger cross collaboration; effective teaming enables team members to understand the boundaries in which they can work together. Teams can face issues head-on, freeing up time to strategize and plan. This fosters a safe space to help each other out.
Effective teaming also minimizes wasted time and effort; the team can deliver at higher levels without burning themselves out. The benefit to businesses is an agile group that can pivot when the business’ needs change.
The bottom line
Effective teaming ultimately creates more resilient organizations overall and an organization that – and team members who will deliver and delight its customers via its team members.
