Key Objectives and Results for Team Building and Maximizing Goals
Why have a team at all? What is the purpose of a team?
Normally, a team is created because it outshines the effectiveness of what one person can accomplish. Therefore, a team should exist to achieve strategic objectives with specified results.
Recently, I read John Doerr’s book, Measure What Matters: How Google, Bono, and the Gates Foundation Rock the World with OKRs. The term, “OKRs” is not exactly new buzz words. OKRs are objectives and key results.
To maintain a unified vision within a diversified team, write down realistic and achievable goals for each person, as well as the collective team. Concurrently, the team should list a measurable means of identifying how each objective will be met (i.e. how do you know when the objective is complete?). Qualitative and quantifiable evidence will bring validity to the team's OKRs. Make sure that everyone understands what the OKR will be and how they will be implemented. Without implementation, all the OKRs in the world will not drive toward maximizing goals.
I love diversified teams. Having a diverse team helps achieve a unified vision by utilizing each person’s talent(s). Innovative thinking and team-building exercises can help solidify common goals, as well as bring fresh new strategies of thinking—especially since each team member may have different methods of achieving a specific objective.
Make sure the objectives and measurables are recorded. The purpose of writing down the objectives and key results allows each team member to be invested in the process and know when/how to move forward.
Also, don’t make objective completion the only celebration—celebrate the little victories.
Everyone likes to be edified. Too many times organizations do not celebrate the little wins of making progress with the key objectives. When visible results are measured and the steps to fulfilling the objectives come to pass, it is important to recognize a job well done—this will ensure the maximization of achieving goals.
Celebrate the small victories of the team and witness the OKRs come to completion.