The driving force behind any team, especially high-performing teams, is their motivation to succeed. Without enough motivation, teams can lose momentum and focus. A lack of motivation can cause even the best teams to derail when they encounter obstacles and challenges.
So, what drives high-performing teams to succeed?
There are a few key things we look at when determining a team’s motivation to succeed or what we call “buy-in.” The extent to which a team is “bought-in” to achieving their shared purpose and goals comes down to 4 key things:
1. A clear and compelling purpose. A clear and compelling purpose or mission is the foundation of a team’s motivation to succeed. Is the destination clear, well-understood by all, and compelling enough to draw them through difficult times?
2. Realistic team goals. Does the team believe that the goals they have set are challenging but achievable? Objectives that are set too high or too low can be problematic in different ways but either can ultimately serve to undermine team motivation or buy-in.
3. Tasks linked to goals. A team’s day-to-day work must be clearly linked to the outcomes they are trying to achieve. Without a distinct line-of-sight to the target, a team can struggle to prioritize their tasks, resources, and energy. They can become distracted, lose focus and spend time and effort on work that does not meaningfully contribute to the team goal or purpose.
4. First team loyalty. The degree to which team members put the team’s purpose and goals ahead of their own or their sub-teams’. In the case of a senior leadership team (SLT), for example, each member of that team has their own function that they lead with its own distinct (but hopefully aligned) purpose and goals. In cases where SLT members prioritize their own (personal or functional) agenda over those of the SLT, there is a lack of buy-in.
If your team lacks buy-in, we can help. DM me “JL” me if you’d like a copy of our Journey Lines exercise, or “PC” for our Personal Commitments exercise.
We’re on a mission to help leaders create great teams that get great results. Want to learn more about high performing teams?
Register for our FREE High-Performing Teams Leadership Challenge: https://www.ormondassociates.com/registration. You'll get 4 hours of 1:1 leadership coaching over 4 days in May. A $2000 value, ABSOLUTELY FREE. Availability is limited, so register today. Learn how to get your team to peak performance faster and with less effort. Specifically, leaders will learn:
• The 8 key elements of high-performing teams.
• How their own team compares against these 8 key elements.
• Concrete actions to significantly improve their team performance & results.
Comments