Today I want to talk briefly about teams, their importance and how, often they are taken for granted.

What is a team? Well, put simply it is a group of individuals working to a common goal or objective with synergy. Of course there are many different types of teams, from sports teams to software developing teams, to Infantry sections and Government teams. They all have different objectives and structures but the fundamentals of good team skills are similar.

Well I know we all understand that there are always effective team and some that are, not so much. We have probably all worked on a team that wasn’t working effectively? There can be many reasons for this but most can be addressed. Clearly this article can’t cover the whole subject.

There are some important considerations at a base level though.

1. What is the common goal / objective and it it really understood by everyone and are they aware of what their part is in achieving it?

It seems so straightforward, but in my experience, this is one of the most common errors. Confusion and lack of clarity will make team members fill in the gaps which often ends up in team members pulling in different directions or simple standing still, not knowing which way to go.

2. Does each member feel part of the team?

Teams should be organic, they grow and evolve, but some times this can be in a negative way. Dysfunction is a form of function that can come from even one team member that feels isolated. Be aware of the team, the unity takes constant effort and attention that can easily be missed in a busy department.

3. Are there consistent and effective methods of communication adopted?

Seeing this written down, it’s a no brainer, however most team leaders believe that their teams have this down. The reality though is much different. As a team leader, can you categorically say that each member of your team has a voice (that is heard), feels safe (to bring up their ideas), feels respected (given credit for their efforts)? The right methods of communication carried out effectively will certainly be a starting point to building a better team.

There are many ways to fix a team and in most cases there are improvements to be made. Teams can go through constant transitions or change and new members can often be expected to find their own way in. Find their own fit. I saw this happen all the time in the military. In my experience this can work but it certainly is not efficient.

Like always, I would love to hear your thoughts and experiences.

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