Teams365 #2661 - 10 Focus areas For Teams: Part 1 of 2

As teams start coming together this spring in different combinations (still remote, and hybrid), it can be important to consider what you can do to support their development. I thought it would be interesting to revisit an article I wrote a few years ago for the Coaching Tools Company, in while I laid out 10 different focus areas. Consider how each of these can support you – Numbers 1 – 5 coming today and 6-10 tomorrow:

Each one of these are valuable conversation points for teams of all kinds:​​​​

1. Create a common vision – From team members working virtually and remote, to matrix team environments, the complexity of teams has never been greater. ___ has found that remote work has increased by ___ in the last 3 years, making it even more important for all teams to take time to create a common vision.  In teams, it’s the shared vision that creates alignment across distance and function, and provides an anchor to return to when decisions are made and priorities set, often now in isolation. A second part of creating a common vision is making sure that it’s visible.
2. What are you going to do to keep it in focus and in front of everyone? Develop common goals – As matrix and remote work arrangements get more complex, and work becomes more interdependent, supporting team members to see the common goals across their team and within their wider context is key. Do team members understand how goals are interconnected with each other? Intersect with other internal stakeholders? Connect to other external partners? Within this context, SMART goals are one piece of the equation. How are they exciting and motivational to all?
   
3. Clarify roles and responsibilities – Roles and responsibilities is an important area for exploration in teams today. When roles and responsibilities are unclear, gaps may exist around performance and handoff. Where job sharing Is common, what’s important to note about ultimate accountability and authority? Who is doing what? How do roles intersect? What is the experience of each team member with their roles and responsibilities?
   
4. Ensure management support - Leadership support is critical to any coaching process. It is the leader who usually provides the space, time and focus for clients to anchor in their learning through practical application opportunities in the workplace. What do you notice about management support?
   
5. Use Engaging Exercises – Today’s workplace places even more emphasis on individualization than there was twelve years ago. Engaging exercises means creating conversation spaces that are memorable and impactful, as well as active. What are the things you can do to bring conversations and exercises that are different? What are remembered after the employee attends their tenth meeting of the week? Consider incorporating a variety of types of activities – reflection, movement, dialogue, visuals).

 
Enjoy your reflections!
Jennifer
 
Jennifer Britton
Potentials Realized | Coaching Team Leaders
Coaching Skills Training | Leadership Development | Teamwork
Growing Team Leaders, One Conversation at a Time™ in the Remote Space
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