5 Steps To Creating Successful Teams

We work in and interact with teams throughout all stages of life. From Under 6s soccer, to aged care teams, team dynamics have a significant impact on both those in the team and those being served by the team. So what makes a good team? There are a number of factors which are integral to team success:

1. Planned or Coincidence?

• Is a team the result of careful planning and recruitment where different members bring different skills which compliment each other to make a whole?

• Are team members selected based on a shared goal, vision or purpose?

• Have the personality types of individuals been considered in team selection to they will be able to work together?

• Has team selection considered the role each individual will play in the team?

• Alternatively, is it just that a collection of people happened to be in the same place at the same time?

2. Clarity of Vision

• Is the team working towards a single vision?

• Does the team have a clear set of goals?

• Is there alignment of purpose among the individuals in the team?

• Is there a leader who works to maintain the direction and momentum of the team?

3. Styles & Dynamics

• Diversity in teams is important in many ways such as avoiding group think and encouraging innovation but are the styles and characteristics of individuals compatible?

• Have the roles and responsibilities been defined for individuals in the team so they each have a clear understanding of the part each person will play in achieving the team’s objectives?

• Have ground rules and expectations been set regarding communications and interactions within the team?

4. Camaraderie

• Have strategies been employed to build and maintain alignment within the team?

• Has the team developed camaraderie?

• Is the team all work and no play?

• Do the individuals in the team support each other?

• Are there positive connotations associated with team membership?

5. Greater World

• Does the team understand the impact they will have on those around them and how this links to their purpose?

• Have they considered all stakeholders and how the team will serve each individual or group?

• Have the expectations of team membership of personal circumstances been considered and expectations set?

Teams fracture when they aren’t purposefully aligned and don’t clearly understand the expectations within the team. Different senses of urgency, response times, attention to detail and accessibility are common causes of discontent in teams. There are some really simple steps that can be taken to address these common situations. Examples include:

• Instead of feeling frustrated that you can never get hold of someone between certain hours, discuss the concern. It may be that a team member has a regular commitment such as picking up kids from school, that happens at a specific time each day and they’ll be back online shortly.

• Instead of being angry that someone is always a few minutes late to the morning meeting, ask why. It might be that that time on that day might be really hard for them and rescheduling the meeting to be 15 minutes later, everyone will be able to attend with a positive and productive mindset.

Taking a few minutes to understand each other and establish expectations can have profound impacts on team dynamics and the subsequent success of the team. Working in different locations, across different time zones and seasons, means there is a lot to consider when creating a successful team. While individuals may be in the team for different reasons, those reasons must align to support the team objective.

Creating teams with a clear vision and selection criteria is obviously a great start, however many teams are already in existence, so what then? It is possible to recalibrate teams to work effectively together, it will just take some time, effort and planning. Sometimes the assistance of a neutral party may be helpful or even required in order for the team to realign and move past any existing issues.