4 Steps to an IMPACT Team

Through my experiences in the workforce and in sports, I can safely say that success is found where great teams exist. The sad reality is that great teams are not nearly as common as they should be and more importantly, could be.
 
We will take a quick look at the four steps I use to help teams understand what it means to be a great team in their world and then align them so that they individual pieces will fit together and foster that culture of success.
 
In my leadership development work, defining the traits and behaviors of great teams is an activity that we do in the beginning of each session. When combined with the traits of a great leader, it’s easy to tell that people understand the characteristics of a great team.
 
So why is there such difficulty in creating great teams?
 
Teams are built. A few unicorns may exist that seem to have a natural connection but the alignment that happens “naturally” comes through the same process.
 
The 4 Steps to an IMPACT Team
 
Before I ever get into the 4 steps, I work with the teams on the #1 trait referenced from my sessions, communication. While we won’t be divining into it here, we would take time to understand the communication style of the individuals, how it is experienced by others, and then work on ways that we can use that awareness to build stronger connections.
 
Foundational Value System
It all starts with Trust & Respect. You must build, establish, give it and ultimately earn it for the team to have a chance. We tie it back to communication and make sure that they are listening to understand to demonstrate that they value what their teammate is saying. 
 
We open up about the importance of transparency and vulnerability while showing the courage to make deposits in others' emotional bank accounts. We focus on what we can control and where we have influence instead of dwelling in those areas of concern. 
 
Shared Vision
While I have a detailed session that works on creating an organizational wide shared vision that aligns departments as well as the hierarchy, this is a focused approach that is solely directed at why the team exists. 
 
What are the team goals? What do they mean to each individual and how can they impact them?
 
This is the step where we create understanding.
 
The KARS Process
Once we understand why the team exists and the goal(s) that they are trying to achieve, we then focus on alignment.
 
The approach I use for this, I have called the KARS process. It’s a 4-step method of making sure that the team is aligned on the roles necessary for this group of individuals to move from a good team to a great team. While the methodology is the same, regardless of the team, the roles and how they align are unique to the team as you must take into account the goal(s) as well as the skill sets of the individuals.
 
K – Knowing the Roles
A – Accepting the Roles
R – Respecting the Roles
S – Starring in the Roles
 
Move to IMPACT
In the first 3 steps, we laid out all the pieces to build a great team. We understand the roles, we know how they align, and now we need to start taking action to make the changes necessary for the pieces to be put together.
 
We utilize commitment tools such as I Will vs I Want and share our I SEE YOUs where, individually and as a team, we recognize and share the value of our teammates and their role in making a great team.
 
A lot of teams want to be great but are not always willing to get past their own ego, their own fears, their own biases to do what it takes. This process is a proven way to define how your team can become an IMPACT Team, and then create a pathway to move your team, Beyond Today.
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If you would like to find out more about how we can help your team become an IMPACT Team DM me so we can set up a time to talk.

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