People frequently ask me to share the secrets to great teaming. They want the perfect formula. I want to deliver and here’s the secret. Successful teams can be very different, but the good ones have mastered three keys to success.
Successful teams can be tight knit; everything is joined like a close family. Other good teams are loose; independent partners who merely share some resources. There’s not one perfect structure, but there are 3 foundational pillars that are critically important to all teams:
3 Pillars of Team Success
Agreement on Fundamentals including: Purpose (why we are a team and what we want from team) Authority (who makes what decisions) Responsibilities (who is doing what) Expectations (how we treat each other) Accountability (how we correct each other) Rewards (who gets paid for what)
Disciplined Communication This is one of the biggest challenges for many teams. Consistent communication both tactical and strategic takes time and commitment. If your team is finding it difficult, you are not alone, keep at it!
Proactive Succession Individual and team transitions are filled with mixed emotions. It takes a lot of courage and grace to move-on, give-up, let-go or give-over. Thoughtfully planning and executing transitions before there’s a crisis is a hallmark of an outstanding team.
