Does your team have purpose? 

My mission is to transform the way you think — to transform your mindset around many factors, including driving high-performing teams. 

 “Teams should be able to act with the same unity of purpose and focus as a motivated individual.”  Bill Gates 

 People aren’t a team because they work together – that is defined as a work group.  

People working together become a team when they have a common purpose that is understood by everyone; and they all appreciate and value the different skills and abilities that each contribute to achieving it.  

Over several years we have surveyed participants on our manager programs on teamwork.  The survey asks them to score the elements of teamwork for their business (e.g., trust, purpose, accountability, metrics, communication etc).  Overwhelmingly, the one that consistently features as the element most in need of improving is ‘sense of purpose’. 

I suggest that this need for purpose runs very deeply for all people. 

“Activity without purpose is the drain of your life.”  Tony Robbins 

So, is there a greater need for business leaders than to generate a sense of purpose for their team?  And then to support the team members to understand their individual purpose within the team? 

Developing high-performing teams is a key focus of the  Leadership Acceleration Program.  

 So, what type of program is the Leadership Acceleration Program (LAP)?  

 It is a program that equips you to build a high-performing leadership team. 

Today, I want to share 4 areas that you can impact today. 

Let’s dive in…  

1. Craft a statement that articulates the purpose of the team.  This gets your thoughts together prior to meeting with the team.  

2. Hold a team meeting and ask the question “what do you think is the purpose of this team?”  Brainstorm the responses and attempt to obtain consensus on a clear statement of the team’s purpose.  Don’t introduce your thoughts too early as this may stifle other’s offering up their thoughts. Progress rather than perfection is key.  The process of discussion – done positively and constructively – can yield great insight and build connection. 

3. Now explain the importance of individual purpose and ask participants to write down their 3 main contributions to the team.  

4. Have each team member read out their 3 contributions and encourage supportive, constructive refinements/additions. 

5. Have the team members write a statement: “My purpose in this team is to …”.  They should weave the 3 main contributions into the statement. 

6. Document the team purpose and circulate.  Encourage the team members to refine their individual purpose and reflect on it often.   

#3) How You Communicate:  Don’t ‘broadcast’ your expectations.  Instead, be curious to find out what others see as the team’s purpose.  By being curious and engaging in discussion, greater reflection will occur, and increased ownership of the agreed outcome will result.  When supporting the team members to articulate their individual purpose, again hold back your thoughts and ask good questions to draw out the information from the team members.

#4) Your Community: The people you spend time with shape who you are and what you do. At one end of the spectrum, you only hang out with colleagues and friends that are lacking purpose, whilst at the other end of the spectrum you spend time with people who are clear on their purpose and support others to find theirs. 

Where can you improve? What would it take to improve? 

JOIN THE LEADERSHIP ACCELERATION PROGRAM  

 This program is the culmination from observing, coaching, facilitating, and mentoring thousands of business owners and senior managers, and then deep diving into research to develop a unique program. 

 ** Join me for a complimentary virtual session to learn a key concept on how to drive a high-performing team - click here to register.  

By Glenn Taylor