Boosting Team Performance
Boosting Team Performance
For a team to work well, everyone needs to be on the same page about the goal they're trying to achieve.
Clear Goals
This means setting clear goals, agreeing them, making plans to reach them, and then working together to get there.
Having a shared goal is key to pulling everyone together.
The goal is the reason for the team's existence. All teams exist in order to achieve goals, so setting the goal is the first thing we need to be agreed upon.
In order to set the goal, answer these eight Questions.
- What is the goal in general terms?
- How do we define the goal numerically?
- How do we define the goal in words?
- What feedback measures must we track to determine our progress?
- What abilities are needed to achieve the goal
- What resources are needed to achieve the goal.
- What is the deadline we set for the achievement of the goal?
- Is the deadline reasonable?
Clear Communication
A lot of problems come from people not understanding each other. To avoid these issues, it's important to communicate clearly. This means making sure your message is understood exactly as you intend it. Understanding is necessary before people can agree with you. Clear communication helps prevent agreements based on misunderstandings.
In order to ensure people understand you, follow these steps. Avoid vague generalities: Use specific language. Whenever you have a choice between expressing yourself in vague ways or in a specific way, choose the most specific option.
Rather than saying, "Can you send those documents to me as soon as possible?" say "Can you send those documents to me by 5pm today?". Rather than saying, "We are expecting a lot of people to attend," say, "We are expecting between 100 and 150 people to attend". Remember, the degree of clarity is the most important attribute of your communication.
Solid Planning
Goals are just wishes if there's no real plan behind them. For goals to lead to action, they need to be backed up by solid plans. These plans shouldn't just be guessing or feelings. They need to be based on real facts, be well thought out, detailed, and written down. This makes sure everyone knows what to do and how to do it.
Anything that is important to you deserves a detailed written plan. The plan should indicate all the elements of the whole task and the elements should be organised into logical sequence, so each element is done at the right time. Only when you have a detailed logical written plan can you be confident of your success.
Positive Vibes
With a clear goal and a detailed written plan, you will feel more confident. This is important, because the way people feel has a big impact on what they do. If the team is feeling down or unsure, it's hard to make progress. Leaders need to create a positive environment that makes everyone feel capable and motivated.
Using positive language and encouragement is crucial for keeping the team on track and moving forward.
In short, to boost team performance, make sure the goals are clear, communication is straightforward, plans are detailed and based on facts, and the environment is positive. These steps are straightforward, but essential for team success.
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Definition: Clear goal
A clear goal in business management is an objective written in specific, concrete words, measured with numbers and a deadline, accepted and understood by every team member, and supported by the skills and resources needed to reach it. If any of these parts is missing, the goal is not clear.
Show CG4D Definition
- Stated in precise, concrete language
- Quantified and linked to a fixed deadline
- Agreed and understood by all team members
- Backed by the skills and resources required
Article Summary
Teams work best when they share a single clear goal, speak in exact words, follow a written, fact-based plan and keep spirits high; this four-step blend aligns effort, cuts waste and lifts results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions that frequently get asked about this topic during our training sessions.
What are the eight questions to set a clear team goal?
How can I define a team goal numerically?
Why is specific language vital in team communication?
What should a solid action plan include?
How do positive vibes influence team performance?
How often should we review progress measures?
What is the quickest first step to improve teamwork?
Thought of something that's not been answered? Ask Us Today!
Did You Know: Key Statistics
Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace 2024 finds that teams with clear, agreed goals deliver 20% higher productivity than teams without goal clarity. Asana’s Anatomy of Work Global Index 2024 reports that poor communication wastes an average of 6 working hours per employee each week, but teams that adopt precise, written plans cut that loss by half and raise output by 15%.About the Author: Chris Farmer
Chris Farmer is the founder of the Corporate Coach Group and has many years' experience in training leaders and managers, in both the public and private sectors, to achieve their organisational goals, especially during tough economic times. He is also well aware of the disciplines and problems associated with running a business.
Over the years, Chris has designed and delivered thousands of training programmes and has coached and motivated many management teams, groups and individuals. His training programmes are both structured and clear, designed to help delegates organise their thinking and, wherever necessary, to improve their techniques and skills.
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Further Reading in Teamwork
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Boosting Team Performance
Learn how clear goals, sharp communication, a solid action plan and a positive culture raise team performance, cut wasted hours and lift output by 20%.
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