In our current team, we have dominate personalities and alot of groupthinking. People that get rude and talk over others can also be a problem with this group. Our leader does a great jobe of getting our attention and getting us back on track but I find these interuption rude and distracting.
Hi Earl,
This is a common problem. Two suggestions to help you facilitate your meetings:
1) You should develop and use some objective metrics or budgets whenever possible. At your meetings review actual v budget and guide your team to report on the variances or exceptions only. This will hopefully keep the narrative on point and to a minimum.
2) Include time allotted to each meeting topic on the agenda and be strong in facilitating the meeting which, at times, means cutting people off and/or bringing the meeting back on point.
Best Regards,
Greg Nathanson
The most common problem I have had leading groups (outside of work) has been the lack of focus. I find it frustrating to have to constantly bring one or two members of a team back to the topics on hand when they go off on personal... and often irrelevant... tangents. While these sidetracks are pleasant in small doses, it can quickly derail meetings and cause the group to run past its scheduled time.
I have also found that major issues involving a team circle around communication. I found that at the beginning of new ideas it is difficult if the team and its members have not seen it done by their leader. I try to be open to criticism and respond clearly with probing questions to see what they would have me do. Often there are discussions that develop from this dialog. Openness is key to any collaborative group or team. At times the final choice, being up to the leader, but explaining the reasons for the decision to the team usually even though it is not fully accepted it lets the team know the reason for the decision and always shoe them appreciation for their input.
Assembling a team of individuals with no knowledge or experiences of the intended goal.
Good communication builds partnerships. I was once told that listen as hard as you talk. In a team we must focus on problems instead of personalities.
I think one crucial challenge for team that I've been involved with and observed is communication. We have heard time and time again that communication is key to every aspect of life. In a team communication needs to be open and honest. Lack there of will impede the team from achieving their objectives.
Yes this is true. this also occurs whe nwhe npeoeple our under worked and the suddenly they are asked to do more. Because they have been conditioned t onot doing a full work load they become used to the minimuin work load and become
resentfuL and the slow down their work speed to prove the the additional workload is too much when it really is not.
I believe the most common challenge to impede team progress is a negative work environment. This is often develops from employees who are "overworked" and the standards for productivity are set too high.
Some of the common challeges that may impede team process is the indivual personalities between each team member may cause conflicts
Another challange is when indivuals have their own agenda that is not the same as the teams and may cause friction.
Not having a strong team leader that can not keep the team focused
People acting as individuals without considering the vision and goals agreed upon by the team. when this happens it is necessary to revisit the goals and refocus on the alignment of the product
I FEEL SEVERALTHINGS CAN IMPEDE THSI
1.) SOMETIMES PERSONAL GOALS AND INTERESTS SOMETIMES WOULD CAUSE IMPEDEMENT OF THE PROCESS.
2.) PERSONALITY CONFLICTS
3.)LACK OF CLEARLY DEFINED GOALS
4.) LACK OF BUY IN FROM THE TEAM
The most common problem I have faced is with groupthink. Often participants are unwilling to disagree with their coworkers. A healthy debate is useful in uncovering problems and solutions.
In a word, Consistancy. Instructors and Education Managers deal with a balance of enforcing rules but keeping in mind what is best for the student or or the managers the instructor base. There are rules to follow but the enforcement of those rules can not be black and white, right or wrong. Careful consideration must be given to each decision because you are dealing with the future of peoples lives. Because of this personalities come into play with the decisions being made which can lead to inconsistancies in rule enforcement.
Negagtivity is the biggest challenge. When negativity becomes a way of group think, it is even worse. It is extremely difficult at that stage to recreate a positive, balanced and individualized working atmosphere and the progress of the team is stalled and the overall goal of the company is lost. When the system is broken, it is important to stop and fix it.
Hi Edo,
Good points. Team members must understand their individual goals and how these goals or tasks fit into the overall objectives for the entire team.
Individuals will never be able to visualize the team goals if they don't fully understand and feel accountable for their individual responsibilities.
Best,
Greg
Hi Yolanda,
The leader runs the show. Although a leader many times acts as a facilitator, at the end of the day, they make the call.
The leader must listen to all suggestions and ideas and then make a quick and decisive decision based on the material presented, group discussion and information available.
A leader should never allow team members to talk over each other or inappropriately criticize other ideas.
Best Regards,
Greg
Hi Leslie,
Great points. Keeping team members on task is a critical component in driving successful outcomes. Team members are very easily distracted and love to comment on and worry about other areas of the business.
The team leader must keep individuals centered on their key performance area. The leader should also refrain from delegating too many projects or tasks outside a member's day-to-day focus.
Best,
Greg
Hi Robert,
It is very difficult to find the right discussing/doing balance. Most managers schedule too many meetings and/or their meetings are too long.
A weekly conference call worked very well for me. A very brief, metric-driven report was submitted every week before the call and my direct reports would take no more than five minutes on the call to review the past week, focusing primarily on exceptions to plan and providing some visibility for the following week.
Best Regards,
Greg
Hi Nicole,
This is a challenge with any team. I let my team know that it is in the difficult times that we shine and separate ourselves from the field.
Average teams are able to produce acceptable results in great times, but it is only the top teams that are able to quickly recognize and counter difficult market conditions.
You will find this competitive advantage within any great company--great teams of people ready to adapt and quickly react to change.
Best,
Greg Nathanson
