For teams to survive and thrive they need to take time to check how things are working and what needs to be changed. In these ever changing times, last year's champions can so easily become the also-rans or downright losers. Just about every commercial team has experienced some kind of team building event or away day - unfortunately they often become just another project or progress review; what the team has been doing, with little or no attention to how the team is working.
Of those that do take time to look at the "how" not just the "what", the focus is too often inwardly directed. "Team spirit", "good communications" and "shared purpose" are not wrong. However, they miss the fundamental truth of being a commercial team. Success is created outside not inside the team. What actually matters is that sponsors, customers, stakeholders and shareholders see the team as an attractive investment. The investment might be money itself, organisational resources or just time and energy. If there is a more attractive way to invest and get a return then that's what they'll do.
Intelligent conversations are those that follow logic, structure and a theme which evolves and expands to help learning. The most intelligent conversations for teams should be structured around six areas of focus. This article explores the first three which look outside. The full six conversations look at the internal health of the team too.
The external focus is about building and maintaining working relationships so that the stakeholders and customers are engaged, involved and connected to the team or organisation and its work. This relationship can be explored in each of three areas or facets:-
Success Criteria - Any investment or purchase has a set of criteria by which the investor or buyer decides whether or not they have got a good deal. The intelligent conversation here should be to verify everyone understands what those criteria are and that the processes and products meet expectations. Stakeholder Management - Anyone who has sat on a delayed aeroplane with no word from the captain or crew as to why there's a delay or what this means for their plans will know what this means. Keeping stakeholders up-to-date with the news, good or bad, builds a trusting and honest relationship. Nasty surprises are always unwelcome. Delivering on Promises - To what extent does the team have a track record of meeting or exceeding the client or stakeholder's requirements? Every team or organisation's product or service has an implied promise. This conversation is to check that that promise is relevant, valuable and being met.
Intelligent conversations for teams are vital to survival in difficult times. The tragically fatal response to such difficult times can actually be a stronger focus on what the team is doing (just do more with less) and much less attention to how things are working and the relationships which are key to remaining viable. Recognising the importance of external, as well as internal, relationships is vital to success.
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Clive is co-owner of ClearWorth http://www.clearworth.com , a company specialising in bespoke manager, leader and team development for major organisations around the world. Clive lives in the UK and France and has worked in 30 countries in the last 10 years from Ohio to Oman, London to Lagos, Surrey to Syria. Clive thinks, teaches and writes about negotiation, influence, interpersonal relationships and cross cultural communication.
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