The 6 Secrets to Creating Strong Teams in Business

Have you noticed that many businesses rely on teams to get projects done?

The ultimate goal for many companies is to have teams that can work together to efficiently accomplish the vision of the firm.

The reality is, this doesn’t happen much of the time.

Strong teams in business utilize six essential elements that make them more successful than most other teams.

1. Project success is defined explicitly. Strong teams will have have been given a stated goal from management, but they know success looks different to everyone, so they focus their first meeting on determining what success actually looks like. They take the time to clarify and put into writing what progress will look like. They make sure all team members have this document.
2. Each person knows who, what, when and how. Instead of ending a meeting with team members scattering and assuming they know who is doing what, a strong team has a clear plan that includes the time frames of the project and the assigned responsibilities. They create a plan that shows each person their own responsibilities as well as the responsibilities of others. They ensure there is a way to view the progress of the project.
3. The ground rules are set at the beginning. Right from the beginning, strong teams establish team rules which include: when they will meet, what will the agenda be, how the plan is dispersed and how communication will take place. They take the time with each new team to set the ground rules at the beginning of a project.
4. They identify the various communication styles and strengths immediately. Each team has interpersonal dynamics to work with and a strong team utilizes the strengths of each of its members. Things they will identify include: who will be the leader, who will take notes, who likes to talk, who prefers to listen and so forth. Have these discussions ahead of time to avoid frustration and wasted time later.
5. They look for possible problems and determine what they can control and influence. Strong teams are aware that challenges will arise. They understand that negativity will not get the job done; yet, these problems are helpful for identifying issues that generate ideas for solving them. They accept challenges will arise and schedule team check-ins to post problems, so the whole team can lend a hand in options to address.
6. They realize that there is an “I” in team. Teams are made up of individuals. Productive organizations understand this and make room for each person to be concerned with their value and contribution to the team. They give team members the opportunity to learn and grow at their own pace while keeping the end outcome in view.

Team doesn’t have to be a shunned word. Many people can find fulfillment working with a group, and companies can see amazing results quickly. But leaders need to be aware that teamwork doesn’t occur naturally. When you use these six essential elements, your team’s chances of success increase.