Let the team work
The goal, run from Chattanooga to Nashville, just under 200 miles. If I had done it by myself it would have taken me almost a week, alternating between running, eating and sleeping. Yet with a team, it took less than 36 hours.
One twelve person team, each member running three legs.
The goal was much easier to obtain and conquer when everyone on the team fulfilled their role. There were some who climbed the hills, some who ran better in the middle of the night and others that had speed.
If it was just me I would not have made it...
On a number of occasions I have had the opportunity to lead ‘project teams,’ that had a specific short term goal. Here is a short list of how I have found to lead these teams:
- Define the goal.
- Define the tasks needed to meet the goal.
- Find people who can complete the defined tasks.
- Give the assignments to the qualified people.
- Let them go and do what they are qualified to do.
Meet regularly
- review the goal
- get progress updates on tasks
When the goal is met
- celebrate the accomplishment
- review the process
- review the product
- take notes to keep for next time
I love to run, but I am not qualified to run a 200-mile race, nor do I want to. But I was qualified to be a part of a team that made an easy task of the race.
At work, I can get much more done when I get the right people on the team doing what they do best and giving them the freedom to do just that.
