How to Get Teams Performing Faster Part 3

 

This final series installment adds more obstacle-hurdling tips, but these tips are interrelated to the first two, meaning you should establish all these tips in a single "package" in order to maximize teaming.

You think it is too difficult to do all this at once? Look, if teaming was easy, your workforce would engage in it faster, more often,  and more successfully. But they don't, so make it easy early so you have a smoother project later.

Team Obstacle #3:  Interdependent tasks cause problems between new team members early in teaming relationship. With no bonding to ease resolution, productivity may be slowed by confusion that is difficult to unwind.

• Let team define workflow and how to handle related tasks. Let them define their task-completion roles and relationships and roles. No assumptions! Make everything explicit. (This dovetails with tip for Obstacle #1 on mutual accountability. It also helps create a sense of identity, also connected with Obstacle #1.)
• Make sure you allow time clearly labeled for this definition. This activity forces very targeted team learning while it occurs - and when later updated. It enables team self-monitoring. (In other words, less for you to worry about.) With clear interrelationships, a low performer can be managed by the team before being escalated to higher levels of management. A bully or manipulator (see Obstacle #2) can be stifled by having little freedom to maneuver.

Team Obstacle #4:  Difficulty in communication between team members.

In today's workplace there is a need for an increasing production rate, but that is countered by dispersed teams who may even work in different time zones. The rapid communication necessary for productivity can be difficult. The solution promoted by Valentine and Edmonson in this  Harvard Business School working paper * (pdf) - which listed the obstacles  used in this series - was co-location in a shift environment. That is fine in the health care industry, but less possible in IT project management. How can you improve communications?

• Create distinct and flexible communication channels for teams. These can be standard team sites for sharing files and posting discussions, but let the teams the vehicles themselves. While a team customizes communication, members agree on collective needs and create a team identity, even if a team is made up of FTEs and contingent workers functioning in multiple locations and time zones. It even eases Obtacle #2 by removing the difficulty and stress of individual professionals interacting with each other the first time.

There were a lot of recommendations in this three-part series. Consider using a team checklist to ensure that teams complete these items. Team leads will appreciate the job aid.

Bonus Tip:  The first item on the list is to review the list and if anything cannot be done, escalate as a routine issue to get instructions.