Is Your Team Fully Aligned?

For a rowing team to succeed, team members need to be synchronized in their expectations, energy, and activities

Despite creating grand and ambitious plans, many organizations often fail to achieve their strategic objectives or to advance their key initiatives. Often, the failure is not attributable to a lack of overall effort, but instead to misaligned, misguided or mistimed effort.

To maximize overall effectiveness that can drive your mission and Profitable Growth, your team needs to be working towards the same goals. In addition, the right individuals need to be chosen to perform tasks to which they are best suited. Leaders, managers and supervisors need to create clear expectations, communications, and action plans that provide solid guidance about organizational priorities as well as offer some flexibility in methods of execution. A key tool that encourages solid planning and team development is the Team Alignment Questionnaire.

Team Alignment Questionnaire

Expectations and Roles

Do you clearly know what is expected of you in your current role?
Do you believe others clearly know what you are expected to do?
Do you have a clear understanding of your groups’ core objectives for the year?

Facilitation

Do you have the materials (including instructions) and equipment that you need to do your work to the level that you and your team are expected to reach?
Do you feel that you receive the leadership (including guidance, autonomy, and flexibility) necessary to do your work to the level that you and your team are expected to reach?
Are you given the time necessary to do your work effectively?

Right Seat on the Bus

In this role and with this team, do you have an opportunity to do what you do best, every day?
- What (tasks or activities) is it that you do best?
- When (what activities or events) are you most engaged?
- In what areas is there a mismatch or disconnect between your skills and abilities vs. what is regularly asked of you?

Recognition and Support

Do you feel that team members are adequately recognized for their contributions and achievements?
How (methods or actions) do you like to be shown that you are valued (be recognized)?
Do you feel that some people at work care about you as a person?

Encouragement and Development

Do your peers encourage you in your professional training and development?
Is there a leadership member who is encouraging you in your professional development?

Ask team leaders and team members, separately and individually, these team alignment questions, and explore through conversation where and why the answers may differ.

Talent Development and Team Alignment