Leadership Unlocked: 5 Strategies for Next-Level Team Growth

“Teams that work well together and foster a spirit of collaboration stay together”. I’m sure this is a famous quote by someone right? If not, it should be.

However, recent research by Stanford University shows that teams are nowhere near living up to this quote.

According to “Behnam Tabrizi, best-selling author and faculty member at Stanford University’s Department of Management Science and Engineering, 75% of teams are dysfunctional.” Wow! Let that sink in!
 
“In a study of 95 teams across 25 leading corporations, Tabrizi found that nearly 75% of cross-functional teams are dysfunctional, failing at least three out of five criteria for organizational success.”
 
Why are teams struggling so much? According to The Ken Blanchard Companies, the answer lies in part to these five areas:
 
1/ Lack of planning
2/ Lack of support for team culture
3/ Lack of resources
4/ Lack of clarity
5/ Lack of mutual accountability

Leadership and growth are journeys of constant learning and adaptation. In this week’s Growth Tip, let's explore how various models can sharpen our personal and professional development.

5 Models to set your team up for success:

1. Scrum Principles: Agility in Action

The Scrum framework is not just for software developers; its principles can be adapted to any project requiring team collaboration. Its emphasis on empirical process control encourages us to base decisions on what is known, which can lead to better results and personal growth. Transparency, inspection, and adaptation are not only key to product development but also to self-improvement. By viewing our growth goals through the Scrum lens, we can foster a mindset of continuous learning and improvement.

2. The GROW Model: Guiding Personal Progress

The GROW Model outlines a clear pathway for setting and achieving goals. It's straightforward enough for anyone to apply, determine your goal, understand your current reality, identify obstacles, and then plan the way forward. By reflecting on the 'Reality' and 'Obstacles' aspects, we can develop self-awareness and resilience. This model is a great tool for personal development planning, helping to clarify where you are, where you want to be, and how to get there.

3. The Rocket Model™: Team Synergy

A high-performing team is like a well-fueled rocket, and the Rocket Model™ provides a blueprint for building such a team. Each part—Mission, Talent, Norms, Buy-in, Power, Morale, and Results—relates to personal growth. Aligning personal goals with the mission, using individual talents, adhering to productive norms, gaining buy-in from others, exercising power judiciously, supporting morale, and focusing on results, can all amplify personal success.

4. The CLEAR Goal: Clarity Drives Focus

CLEAR goals provide a framework for achieving targets in a complex and changing environment. 'Contract' and 'Listen' are about communication, 'Explore' and 'Action' involve proactivity and decisiveness, while 'Review' emphasizes the importance of reflection. Applying this framework can enhance leadership qualities by fostering clear communication, active listening, explorative thinking, decisive action, and reflective learning.

5. Belbin’s Team Model: Diverse Strengths

Belbin's Team Model illustrates how diverse roles contribute to a successful team, and it also offers insights into personal growth. Understanding your primary team role can illuminate your strengths and areas for development. Whether you're a 'Plant' brimming with ideas or a 'Coordinator' ensuring everything runs smoothly, acknowledging your role can guide your personal development efforts.

Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success." – Henry Ford.

Weekly Growth Tip:

To immediately put these insights into practice, find which role you naturally gravitate towards in Belbin’s Team Model. Once found, take a step today to enhance that strength. If you're a Plant, dedicate time brainstorming new ideas. If you're a Coordinator, initiate a project requiring team collaboration. Strengthening your natural role can lead to both personal and professional growth.

Every model we've discussed today serves as a roadmap to enhancing your leadership and growth. Integrating these models into your development strategy will help you refine your personal skills and become a better leader. Remember, the journey to next-level leadership is paved with continuous learning and growth. Challenge your limits!