Increasing team effectiveness is top priority for most managers. Teams that work well together succeed together; which ultimately means higher profits for a business. Aconstant challenge for any manager is getting individuals to work together effectively. This is especially difficult when team members have differences in communication styles, project management, time management, information gathering and decision making.
However, the show must go on, and as a supervisor, it is your duty to ensure that everyone is on the same page. Here are some tips to help manage a team that works well together:
Team mandate– Take the time to clarify your team’s mandate or mission statement. Your mandate is simply your team’s reason or purpose. Once this is clearly defined, understood and acknowledged by your staff; post it in a general work area, so it is on top of mind for everyone, at all times.
Team goals –Every team should have definite objectives or goals. These goals should support your team’s mission or mandate. Ensure your goals are measurable and have a specific date attached to them (i.e. whether you want to achieve these objectives by end of quarter or the fiscal year.)
Action plan– A team plan is a written blueprint for your department’s success.It irons out the team’s mission, goals, and provides a strategy for fulfilling these objectives. This plan should clearly state the responsibilities of each person on the team, what they do, and how they do it.
Review– Ensure you schedule team meetings where everyone can come together to discuss current progress and future plans. Review your goals and team plan and determine if any updates or changes are needed to secure future success. Talk about things that are working well, and discuss what areas need to be improved. Clarify responsibilities for each team member and the actions they need to take next.
An independent consulting agency that focuses on employee, team and organizational development, Sandra Summerhayes & Associates designs and delivers training sessions and seminars for various organizations throughout Ontario. For more information, log onto www.sandrasummerhayes.com.
