LEADERSHIP: ALL TOGETHER NOW

Published: 2007-04-10   please add a comment below

Which do you prefer: an afternoon at the football; or, an evening at the symphony?  Either way, you'll see teamwork in action.  And, perhaps that's the reason so many highly effective leaders have experience of team sports or other team activities. 

I was forced to play sport at school, but hated it.  And, lacked talent for the orchestra.  Perhaps that's why I’ve spent much of my career as a sole practitioner.  And, when I’ve run businesses or voluntary projects, I relied initially on other skills.  There are no guarantees, but team aptitude is a good foundation for leadership.

Think about your own preferences!  Are you a team player? Or, more of a loner?  And, how is that impacting your current leadership role?

Whatever the answer, the good news is teamwork, like other elements of leadership, can be learnt – albeit, at times, requiring significant shifts in default behaviour.  But, as with anything worthwhile in life, the only issue is the courage to try.

So what are some of the steps that can lead to effective teamwork?  Here are a few I've picked up over the years – from watching those for whom it’s intuitive and easy.  Define goals, tasks and roles for your team and its members.  Balance the skills and personalities - to support the goals and what needs doing.  Encourage synergy, sharing and support - within your team; and, resolve conflicts.  Build alliances and encourage cooperation with other teams - to leverage your team's resources and capabilities and build wider integration.  Support and uphold management and team decisions - so there is "cabinet solidarity."

How well are you doing on each of these simple actions?  What would colleagues say - those, who work with you as your peers, subordinates or managers?

Build teamwork - and go further!

Dr. Timothy Pascoe AM
PhD (Cambridge), MBA (Harvard), BE & BEc (Adelaide)
Creator, V|E|C|T|O|R Leadership^®