Build Your A-Team With These Tips
Whether you are trying to assemble the perfect team for your own business or within your organization, it can be hard to know what to look for in potential teammates. It might feel natural to gravitate towards the people you usually work with (since you know what to expect) or the people you want to spend time with, like your friends at work. But, are these people really adding the most value to your team? Consider the below when forming your next team:
1. Select Teammates Who Can Add Value: Rather than just focusing on whether everyone will get along or not, find people who will contribute value to the team in unique ways. Try to have at least one person who fulfills aspects of these roles:
2. Choose an Optimal Team Size. The size of your team can have a big impact on its success. A team too small may cause burnout or lack some of the skills needed for the task. On the other hand, a team too large could lead to “social loafing” and disengagement. While the research on team size does not specify an exact number for all situations (since it depends on the task), teams of 5-6 are considered to be optimal within companies.
领英推荐
3. Diversify. Be careful not to choose people for your team who are too similar to you or each other. This can stifle creativity and result in groupthink. However, this does not mean you should not tap your network. Use your existing network to find as many qualified candidates for your team as possible, but make sure you are selecting a diverse group of people who are contributing different skill sets. If you don’t find the skills you’re looking for among the people in your network, ask them for referrals. The effort you’ve put forth to create a strong network pays off in spades when you need to hire. It’s the best and most affordable way to build your team.
4. Establish Values, Norms and Goals. Once you have your dream team, establish your team’s values and norms. In a group session, discuss what everyone values in a team, such as open communication, reliability, and hard work. Determine norms such as how you all will communicate with each other. Some members may prefer to use Slack or group messaging platforms, while others prefer email or in-person meetings. Discussing how you will deal with conflict, failure, or internal disagreements is also important and will help avoid misunderstandings later on. Such discussions will create a sense of safety, which psychologically is very important for teams. Also, establish your team’s goals and metrics to measure those goals to keep you on track and focused.
When selecting your team, focus on the experts you need, people who have social influence, and those who are experienced with the types of customers you are serving. Typically a team of 5-6 people works the best, but it also depends on the task at hand. When assembling the team, start with your network and find those who are the best fit for the project. When you get your team, it is crucial to agree on values, norms, and goals to keep the team feeling psychologically safe, focused, and driven towards your objectives.
Empowering Small & Medium Businesses | Fractional CFO at Skyward Sparks | Driving Financial Clarity, Strategic Growth & Operational Efficiency
2 个月Matt, thanks for sharing!