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Teamwork Part 2: Reliability

 

Your team may have a powerful engine (like a Ferrari) but if all the parts aren’t working together (like that flat tire in the picture) the team struggles go anywhere.

The teamwork concept we're talking about is reliability! Each member of the team embraces Do What You Say You Will Do (DWYSYWD)! Our behaviors provide the evidence of our authentic intentions and these display our trustworthiness to others.

Diagnose Dependability

What is the most important contribution you can make to the performance of this team or organization?

Your answer will likely come from as aspect of something you value AND the thing you consistently show up for. Misalignment of assigned responsibilities and/or unique contributions often causes underperformance. When we experience disengagement from team members it can be a sign they are being assigned duties they aren't gifted or trained to do (and may identify skill gaps).

Google's "Project Aristotle" Action Items

  • Clarify roles & responsibilities of all team members
  • Evaluate skills-based training programs
  • Consider which behavior(s) your people/leaders need training on
  • For each missed deadline, determine whether it was a system or process failure or behaviors within the team

Team members are much more than a spot or title on an organizational chart. They each have unique talents and gifts to offer the team. Getting clarity on the combination of these through clear communication makes the team efficient and more effective.

Awareness of the skills needed to lead in our dynamic work environment takes training. Intentional building of skills that support truly human leadership.

Showing one another how we're reliable is a great step toward building a healthy team. Nobody on the team wants to be the “flat tire” on the team, they want to get to a meaningful place together!

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