Blog Post: A Discussion on Leader Teamwork

There you are.  A member of a project team.  You represent the Training division of the project, charged with the assessment, design, and delivery of the material that will go out to your organization once the project is piloted. 

With you on the project team is the IT Special Projects Manager, the Corporate Communications team, and department heads of the three departments that will be impacted.

You've got two months.

Imagine, if you will, the challenges that arise.  This project involves some significant integration into existing systems, so IT warns that they'll be cutting things close, that key components of the program integration will not be available until last minute.  The Department Heads are still trying to wrap their hands around how the project will impact their divisions. Corporate Communications wants to promote this pilot as quickly as possible, asking for at least 30 days lead time to announce the schedule for the pilot, including training. And of course, you, Training, need at least 45 days for the analysis, design, and development of the material.

What is your goal?

You'll probably want some commitment from the department heads to identify key training objectives.  You'll probably want from IT access to a development site so you can begin creating training materials with the necessary screen shots.

According to Raymond Burch, presenter at ASTD-OC's September Learning Event: "Tribal Warlords or Executive Teamwork," that's not your goal. Remember: you're on a team.  And while it's easy to tap into your strengths in order to identify and promote your needs for the accomplishment of your component of the project, that is not your goal.

Your goal is the successful implementation of the pilot throughout your organization.

This is Ray's first theme for Leadership Success (for all six of his themes, check out our Twitter feed) -- that as a team, you focus on a clear and common purpose. If each person on the team focuses on that purpose, they often finish the project successfully.

This, Ray says, is exactly what the Legends Volleyball Team does each time they participate in a tournament.  They do it without practicing as a team throughout the year.  In fact, Ray shareS that while most of the Legends team resides in Southern California, a few others are scattered throughout the nation. Add that to his schedule taking him to Indonesia, South Africa, and a  bevy of other international venues, any practicing Ray does to keep at the top of his game has to be done without his teammates.

Yet when they convene, they perform at a gold medal level. Consistently.

The sports analogies abounded, but with the specific relevance to the Legends team experience.  The game changes, Ray shared.  Be ready to accept different roles.  Rebound convincingly, but don't overextend. Play with passion and win wounded.  Within each of the analogies resided a corporate corollary. 

• "Create legends because reputation scores," prompted this question: Has your leadership team built a good image in the organization? 
• "Play with passion and win wounded," caused us to ask: Do your team members bring a spark to your discussions?
• "Know where the talent is and harness their egos," challenges: Can your team members humble themselves for success?

It's a discussion worth serving up for that project team of yours.

If you liked this post, you might like:

• Tribal Warlords or Executive Teamwork?
• What's Your Core Motive?