Your team is divided on task importance. How do you ensure everyone stays focused on the goal?

During times of conflict within a team specific to a task, it is important to clarify the objective, encourage open dialogue, identify agreement & differences, focus on shared interest to reduce division and build cooperation. Provide clarity and what if examples. Most of all, leading by example and showing commitment to the goal will help maintain focus.

When a team is assigned different tasks, achieving goals can be ensured by clearly defining the roles and responsibilities of each team member. Establishing these roles is crucial for maintaining alignment. I would say; A RACI matrix (Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, Informed) is an effective tool to clarify which team members are responsible for specific tasks, preventing confusion and overlap. This approach ensures that each member understands their individual contribution to the overall objective and remains focused on their assigned tasks.

Even if we divide the goal into sub-tiers and assign these tasks to different teams, I ensure that each team is aware of what the other teams are doing and can see the big picture. In this way, I ensure that each team does its part in completing the main goal. In addition, I emphasize how devoted the other teams work for the main goal.

A great reminder to start from is that whatever approach we use today, down the line we will look back thinking we could have done better. I would discourage perfectionism and performative decision-making. I would not focus so much on task importance, aiming instead to understand Why our views are misaligned. There will be a common thread if we dig deep enough. Typically it is the reason Why we are doing this in the first place. If the dissent is notable, I would bring the team together, design a sharing exercise and listen to understand. Starting from a common Why that unites us is important as we must relate on our mission. While noting the different takes around the room will help to realign us based on a shared understanding.

To keep everyone focused on the goal when your team is divided on task importance, start by clearly defining the primary objective and how each task contributes to it. Facilitate an open discussion, allowing team members to voice their concerns and perspectives. Then, prioritize tasks based on their impact on the goal, ensuring everyone understands the reasoning. Regular check-ins and clear communication will help maintain alignment and keep the team focused on the shared outcome.