Creating a successful team is more than just finding the right mix of professional skills. It requires clear communication, cooperation, and innovation in an environment of mutual trust and respect. To build a highly productive team, managers must define the purpose of the team, provide a clear and inspiring vision, have difficult discussions, celebrate team milestones, and divide the vision into smaller objectives and tasks. When interviewing more than 500 leaders for Corner Office, I asked them all about the art of fostering a strong sense of teamwork.
It is essential that team members can work together to contribute as much as possible to the team's desired outcome. Establishing a clear purpose and vision is the foundation for successful teamwork and helps guide group leadership when faced with challenges and decisions. To ensure success, managers must also find the best way to recognize team milestones. This could include thanking them in person at a team meeting, sending an email to senior managers, or a team lunch.
Additionally, it is important to avoid miscommunication as it can cause confusion and stress. Email can often damage the connective tissue that forms relationships between colleagues rather than helping to build them. Building a high-performance team involves more than just randomly bringing together a group of talented people. As a result, it is essential that everyone shares clear and measurable objectives and commits to each playing their part in the overall success of the group.
With fewer levels of management and communication, teams can count on each other and get by with fewer levels of management. Creating an effective team is not an easy task but it is achievable with the right guidance. Managers must define the purpose of the team, provide a clear and inspiring vision, have difficult discussions, celebrate team milestones, and divide the vision into smaller objectives and tasks. Additionally, they must find ways to recognize team successes and avoid miscommunication.
By following these steps, managers can create a successful team that will be productive and successful in achieving their goals.
