The start of a new year, presents a unique opportunity for leaders to infuse their teams with renewed energy and a clear sense of purpose. Far from being a mere procedural step, a well-structured team launch is a wonderful spring board for helping the team make a great start whether in the formation of a new team or as a revitalising force for an existing one.
Richard Hackman (2011), who had a wealth of experience working with teams stated that approximately 30% of team effectiveness could be correlated to a productive team launch. That's a significant impact for only one or two days of time investment.
The Critical Role of a Team Launch
The significance of a team launch extends beyond basic introductions and logistics. Its true value lies in its ability to align team members and establish a foundation of safety, collaboration and trust. This is a crucial step, as research shows that teams grounded in trust and clear communication are more effective and display higher levels of job satisfaction.
Key Elements of a Successful Team Launch:
Defining Team Purpose: A clear team purpose acts like a compass, guiding each member towards a unified goal and aligning their efforts. This echoes the sentiments of Simon Sinek, who emphasizes the importance of 'Starting with Why' to inspire and motivate people.
Setting Common Goals: Identifying specific outcomes that the team collectively aims to achieve is essential. This clarifies interdependencies and aligns individual efforts towards shared objectives. The focus here is not individual goals, but rather what the team needs to achieve together.
Clarifying Roles and Responsibilities: Open communication regarding roles and expectations is vital to prevent misunderstandings and conflicts. It ensures that everyone is aware of their responsibilities and how they contribute to the team's structure and achievement of common goals.
Streamlining Decision-Making: Establishing clear decision-making rights and accountability helps in making efficient and effective decisions. Making the mode of decision making explicit is also crucial. For example, should the decision be made via consensus, authority, democracy, unanimity etc.
Formulating Working Agreements: Determining how team members will collaborate, including team norms and communication methods, is fundamental for smooth operations. This is especially important when working with new teams, or team membership has changed.
Cultivating Team Cohesion: Investing time in building connections among team members pays off in developing trust and collaboration. Team coaches can be a wonderful resources for helping to create connections in teams that are meaningful and safe.
In my experience as a team coach I have witnessed the transformative impact of a well-executed team launch. It transcends being a simple checklist item and becomes a pivotal moment that establishes a foundation for cohesion, alignment, and success throughout the year.
The Takeaway :
A strategic team launch is not just beneficial; it's essential for any team aspiring to achieve excellence. As leaders, recognizing and capitalizing on this opportunity can set the tone for a year of growth, productivity, and success.
