A Team in Name Only

Most people understand, at least conceptually that if a team is effective, better results are achieved.

Of course there is often a big gap between what people understand conceptually and do in practice.

Let’s look at leadership teams.  Every member of that team has to work in the interests of the wider organisation.  At the same they have to retain loyalty to their own area of professional expertise.

In this situation you can end up with the scenario where the leadership team exists in name only.

There are several signs that a team exists in name only in my experience.

There’s A Lack of Clarity

Specifically about where the organisation is going and what it is trying to achieve. 

There’s a Lack of Alignment

There may be clarity about what the organisation is going.  If on the other hand the product team are going north, the marketing team is going south, finance are heading east and sales are heading west, little progress is going to be made.

There’s a Pass The Buck Mentality

By that I mean rather than owning issues and looking for solutions, the focus is on blaming others, the product, the economy and many other things.

There’s Little Constructive Discussion

Even on the best teams there is conflict.  On the better teams there’s robust discussion but it’s done in a constructive way.

There’s a Lack of Trust and Respect

People may not be the best of buddies.  At the same time without a level of trust and respect it is going to be impossible to achieve anything of significance.

So what about your team.  Is it a team that’s achieving or is it a team in name only?

About the Author Duncan Brodie

Since 2006 I’ve worked with in excess of 8,000 accountants and professionals in workshops, seminars and one to one helping them land their next jobs and become better leaders, presenters and business partners. Before that I spent 25 years in accountancy climbing the career ladder from Payments Clerk to FD. I’m a CIMA Fellow, Certified Professional Coach and Team Coach Facilitator.

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