Teams are established at all levels of an organization. Some teams are formed to continue their work indefinitely (for example, members of senior management may be thought of as a team), and some teams are project-based, created to address a specific opportunity or challenge, and dissolved when their work is completed. Regardless, we accomplish much of our work through teams. (Read Arden Coaching’s series about team performance and building cohesive teams — trust; healthy conflict; commitment; accountability; and results, to learn more).
In today’s rapidly evolving work environments, companies are addressing the ways in which they may need to work face-to-face, remotely, and in blended settings. And the impact on teams and team performance is significant.
The higher level question you need to address now is this: Is the way you have set-up your teams in the past the right way any more?
This moment is an opportunity for leaders to look at the configuration and set-up of their teams beyond the usual tactical frameworks. Strategically, you must consider how your teams are designed and how they operate.
- Would you benefit from more people or fewer people on your teams?
- Going forward, do your teams require different skill sets? A wider range of functional expertise, or a narrower and more focused approach?
- Will your teams perform better with a more diverse mix of communication and work styles, or a group of more alike people?
- No one tells you how to be a good teammate! Assess how your personal strengths contribute to (or weaknesses prevent you from) being a productive team member using the Five Behaviors of a Cohesive Team Personal Development Tool.
- Do you need to revise team norms, expectations, and rules of engagement?
- In what situations are teams now needed and what situations are they not?
Strategically, what will maximize the performance of your teams and your organization — in whatever workplace scenario emerges for your company? Experiment with process, tools, and technology. This doesn’t need to be solved in a week. You need to adapt and create something that will work for the long haul.
An approach that considers your particular situation, takes action, and then iterates and adapts to improve is well-suited to help build resilient team performance through these changing times.
To learn more about creating high performance teams and becoming a better teammate in changing times, contact Arden Coaching at [email protected] or 646.684.3777.