Here are 6 game-changing steps I've use when
helping companies optimize their team collaboration (German companies):
Keep in mind to first: ⤵️
🏃➡️ Run the following steps with the leadership team first and then
use it for the departments /teams.
Step 1: The big reveal 👐
🪨 No methodology will help you unless you first identify the core problem.
I get asked to help teams/departments improve their
collaboration through my workshops by sharing tips and methods.
That comes later.
First, we need to get down to the core problem.
↳ Listing challenges
↳Reasons contributing to the challenges
↳Hidden goals (This is the toughest) and how they hinder solutions
This needs to be executed in a fun and light way so that
no one feels threatened.
Be aware that every employee has a particular:
- Personality
-Way of communicating
-Safety mechanism
(see my post on the 4 Apes communication styles)
Which make them tick the way they do.
I have it, you have it.
How you and I procede after knowing them is what we work on.
☀️ Step 2. Gain clarity
Define following goals:
↳ Organizational
↳ Department
↳ Team
↳ Individual.
📣 Debate is always welcome because it means they are engaging.
🧘♂️ It is important that you or the facilitator is able to steer the
conversation when they get stuck.
No need to implement strategies on how to achieve them like OKR’s,
Kanban boards etc. at this stage.
You first need step 3.
🤝 Step 3: Creating buy-in
We come together and design a collaboration agreement based
on the one common goal. To help the company succeed.
Define both individual and team:
a. Responsibilities
b. Accountability
c. Commitment
📈 Step 4: Methods and strategies
A. Streamline decission making.
Some leaders are afraid to make a decission and it can bring
the project to a stop. Go back to step three if you need to.
Create a RACI Matrix to help you:
· R (Responsible): The person or team doing the work
· A (Accountable): The ultimate decission maker who approves the work
· C (consulted): Identify the experts who provide input/feedback
· I (Informed): Keep everyone informed and updated.
B. Come up with the best possible way to track your progress.
This can be manual or digitally. The key factor is that everyone
has access to everyone’s progress.
Organise short meetings that are to the point and can only
happen when there is an agenda in place.
🥳 Step 5: Praise and Acknoledge
How do you feel when your teammates celebrate you?
This type of behavior helps everyone keep motivated and
feel like they are part of a team.
♻️ Step 6: Optimize your process
Always look for ways to make this process even better.
📌 Remember none of these steps will work unless you start with step one.
This has been the largest problem in my experience
when it comes to optimizing teams.
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