Whether your team consists of 10 people or if your team is made-up of yourself and one Assistant, being aware of what will make your particular team effective and productive vs. dysfunctional is important to the overall success of your business.
Here are the five signs of a dysfunctional team, which includes behaviors that you, as the Team Leader, may be exhibiting as well:
- No Commitment-Lack of buy-in. Tendency to agree during meetings, but refuse to follow-through on actions items. Appears ambiguous about company initiatives, projects, and changes. Over-analyzing. Misses deadlines.
- Accountability-phobia-Low standards. Will not confront team members on counterproductive behaviors or actions. Lack of setting deadlines. Lack of follow-up and follow-through. No clear expectations. Easily distracted. Lack of growth.
- Inattention to Results: Status and Ego. Put their individual needs above the collective goals of the team. Unaware of production numbers. Lack of tracking. No communication regarding individual team member’s effectiveness and/or team accomplishments.
- Lack of Trust-Difficulty in sharing ideas or admitting to errors. Unwillingness to be vulnerable and open. Hesitates to offer help outside of their job description. Dislikes team meetings.
- Avoidance of Conflict-Pretending as if all is in harmony. No engagement in passionate debate. Lack of constructive criticism or suggestions. Veiled discussions and guarded comments. Meetings are unproductive and boring.
In order to begin, “righting the ship” so to speak, the first place to start is with a good ‘ole self-evaluation.
Becoming aware of and actively working on your own set of weaknesses and being transparent with your team about your journey on the road to self-improvement is a sign of a great, leader-in-the-making and will inspire your team members to follow suit. As the old saying goes, “It all starts from the top!”