Team coordination is a crucial skill for any leader who wants to achieve high performance and quality outcomes.
However, team coordination can also be a source of frustration and conflict if team members do not share the same vision, goals, and expectations.
How can you increase team member ownership of team coordination and foster a collaborative and accountable culture? Here are some tips to help you.
Clarify roles and responsibilities
One of the first steps to increase team member ownership of team coordination is to clarify roles and responsibilities for each team member.
This will help avoid confusion, duplication, or gaps in tasks and deliverables.
You can use tools such as a RACI matrix (Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, Informed) to define who does what, who makes decisions, who provides input, and who needs to be updated.
You should also communicate the roles and responsibilities to the whole team and ensure that everyone understands and agrees on them.
Set clear and measurable goals
Another way to increase team member ownership of team coordination is to set clear and measurable goals for the team and for each individual.
Goals should be aligned with the overall vision and strategy of the organization and the project.
They should also be SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) to provide a clear direction and criteria for success.
You should involve team members in setting and reviewing goals and provide regular feedback and recognition on their progress and achievements.
Delegate authority and autonomy
A third way to increase team member ownership of team coordination is to delegate authority and autonomy to team members.
This means giving them the power and the freedom to make decisions, solve problems, and take actions within their scope of work.
This will help them feel more empowered, engaged, and responsible for their own performance and results.
You should also provide them with the necessary resources, support, and guidance to enable them to perform their tasks effectively and efficiently.
Encourage collaboration and communication
A fourth way to increase team member ownership of team coordination is to encourage collaboration and communication among team members.
This means creating a culture of trust, respect, and openness where team members can share ideas, information, and feedback without fear or judgment.
This will help them learn from each other, leverage their strengths, and overcome their challenges. You should also facilitate regular team meetings, check-ins, and updates to keep everyone on the same page and aligned with the team goals and priorities.
Celebrate successes and failures
A fifth way to increase team member ownership of team coordination is to celebrate successes and failures as a team.
This means acknowledging and appreciating the efforts, contributions, and achievements of each team member and the team as a whole.
This will help them feel valued, motivated, and proud of their work. It also means recognizing and learning from the mistakes, challenges, and setbacks that the team faces.
This will help them grow, improve, and innovate as a team. You should also solicit and provide constructive feedback to help team members enhance their skills and performance.
Model the behavior you expect
A sixth way to increase team member ownership of team coordination is to model the behavior you expect from your team members.
This means leading by example and demonstrating the values, attitudes, and actions that you want to see in your team.
This will help them trust, respect, and follow you as a leader. It will also help them emulate and adopt the best practices and standards that you set for the team.
You should also be consistent, transparent, and accountable for your own performance and results.