There's no WHY in team

... "I just wish everyone in the team took shared ownership."

... "Not everyone in the team is on the same page."

... "There are some people in the team who seem happier doing their own thing."

Any of these sound familiar?

These would have to be three of the most common complaints I hear from team leaders. (Actually, 'complaint' is perhaps too strong a word - because, more often than not, these comments are usually made with an air of, but of course this is what goes on in every team, right?)

So let me provocative for a moment...

>> Why should your team work as a team?

>> Why don't you just let everyone do their own thing? 

>> Does it really even matter?

When I ask these questions, people look at me a bit blankly, as if to say, Hang on, aren't you the teams guy? Aren't you meant to be helping me here? ?? 

But here's the rub. If you haven't got good answers... well, you're in trouble.

Way too often, teams exist in form, but lack a strong WHY. 

People are hired into a role, told they are part of a team, and then expected to just make it all work. 

Layer onto that 'team meetings' that are little more than work-in-progress status updates ?? , 'team days' that are little more than a games night?? , and no wonder people are struggling to find the Meaning of Teaming.

To genuinely form as a team - to build strong alignment and shared ownership - teams need to get clear on some bedrock questions such as: 

• Why are we structured as a team?
• What do we expect to achieve as a team that none of us could achieve working alone? 
• Is everyone on the team fully committed to this as a picture of success?
• What do we need and expect of one another if this team gig is going to work? 
• How can we design the way we work to match our intent?
• How will we challenge ourselves and hold ourselves accountable?

(All of which tie back to a question I posed in my last video: when did you catch the team bug?)

Sure, these are the kinds of questions that require a bit of love and attention. But the investment of time and energy will repay itself in spades when you're rewarded with a set of shared commitments that can underpin your team's performance and continuing development.

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