Understanding Why Some Teams Succeed
If you look at different departments within a company, you will note that some departments seem to have strong teams and run more smoothly than their counterparts. What is the difference? Many assume it is just luck that some teams are doing well and some are struggling. Some believe these stronger departments were just fortunate enough to find great employees.
However, strong teams are often built intentionally. The foundation begins with understanding the purpose behind the organization and creating alignment with the people who are part of it.
The Importance of Starting With Your “Why”
Simon Sinek in his “Golden Circle” model describes the importance of starting with your “why”. Your “why” is that statement of purpose that outlines why we exist. Simon goes on to describe how your “why” will attract some clients and not others. Everyone makes decisions based on wanting to work with people who are similar to themselves, and who share their motivation.
Because of this, understanding your purpose is essential when building relationships with employees, clients, and team members.
Aligning Hiring Decisions With Your Mission
When leaders are recruiting and hiring a new team member, it is critical to communicate your “why” to ensure there is alignment of purpose. Two candidates can have similar skill sets, but if they are not motivated by your mission and purpose, it will ultimately not work out. Misalignment not only affects who works well on a team but also impacts the work that is done.
For this reason, hiring is not only about finding someone with the right experience. It is about finding someone who connects with the purpose and values that drive your organization.
Using Your Purpose to Guide Decisions
When tackling a project or making a decision, our purpose impacts how we approach these common tasks. Many times, it is not even a right or wrong approach, but instead being able to choose the best approach for your situation. Considering your “why” allows you to reinforce your values and your overarching goals. It continues to align well with team members who were hired with that purpose in mind.
By consistently connecting daily decisions back to your mission, leaders can ensure their teams remain focused and moving in the same direction.
Recognizing When Your Team Has Lost Sight of Its Purpose
If leaders are experiencing high turnover, drama, conflict within the team, and team members doing their “own thing”, it may be time to step back and consider whether your team understands and is engaged with your mission and purpose. When was the last time you talked about your mission? Numerous organizations become focused on the week to week tasks and ignore what allowed them to be successful to begin with. They lose sight of the very thing that makes them unique—their “why”.
As a result, organizations can become disconnected from the purpose that originally helped them grow and succeed.
Building Strong Teams Through Purpose-Driven Leadership
If you are going to build strong teams, have great engagement and commitment to the things that will set you apart from your competition, then using your mission as a guide throughout your organization is a requirement. Leaders can create awesome teams!
