Self Help Tips For Professionals - Top Ten Obstacles to Teamwork

What gets in the way of building collaborative teams? The concept seems simple enough – Put a group of people together, let them play off each others strengths and everyone wins – right? If only it was that easy. Mike Rogers, owner of Secondg.net a training development company, recently poled members of his Linkedin Group to find out what they thought where some of the road blocks to building successful teams. Here’s what they came up with. What’s on your list?

1. Lack of competent leader: Team leaders aren’t expected to know everything – But, team members expect them to know where to go to find out. Be the kind of leader people will want to follow.

2. Lack of Goals and Goal Alignment: You need to be very clear on what it is you want to accomplish and then put a plan together that will accomplish it. Everyone on your team needs to be on the same page – working towards a common goal.

3. Individual focus on themselves and not their team: There can’t be any hidden personal agendas. There can only be one agenda. The team’s agenda. Trust me – if the team wins everyone will win.

4. Lack of understanding team members: What motivates you may not motivate them. Team leaders need to take the time to find out what their peoples needs are. And then work very hard to make sure their needs are met.

5. Lack of clarity on team roles, the purpose or vision of the team: Everyone has a strength. Put people in positions where they will be successful. Every decision you make as team leader must be a reflection of your team’s purpose and vision.

6. Lack of focus on team rewards and appreciation: You’re the team leader. You’re going to get most of the credit for the team’s successes. Share the wealth. Acknowledge the contribution of your team members. Put their needs ahead of yours.

7. Lack of spending time together as a team: People want to feel important. They want to feel that they are part of the team. Take the time to build relationships with the people you work with. People perform better for people they like and respect.

8. Poor communication: Communication is everything. You can’t communicate too much. People want to be involved in the process. People want a say on those things that will affect them. Communication is two way. Solicit their input.

9. Lack of trust: If they can’t trust your word – they won’t trust you period. Enough said.

10. Lack of accountability: It’s ok to make mistakes (And trust me you will make mistakes) as long as you learn from them. . Admit it up front and move on. Hold everyone on your team accountable for the results. Be fair and consistent.

Mike Rogers is a three time award winning training producer and founder/principle owner of secondg.net – a team and leadership development company – based in Cedar City Utah. He can be reached at – mike@secondg.net. Mike Rogers blogs at www.teamworkandleadership.com

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