Management Tip of the Day: 4 Things Every Team Needs

Are you having trouble viewing this email? If so, click here to see it in a web browser. HOME   |   TIPS   |   BLOGS   |   THE MAGAZINE   |   BOOKS   |   STORE RSS   |   Mobile MAY 23, 2013 4 Things Every Team Needs No matter how big or small your team or what its goal is, there are four things it needs to succeed. As a leader, it's your job to help your group create and adhere to each of these: A meaningful common purpose. Most teams are responding to a mandate. But to be successful, your team must "own" this purpose by developing its own spin on it. Specific performance goals. Develop measurable goals to inspire your team and inject a sense of urgency. Shared goals require everyone to focus on their collective effort, rather than on differences in titles or status. Commitment to how the work gets done. At the onset, agree on who will do what jobs, how you will establish and honor schedules, and how you will make and modify decisions. Mutual accountability. You can't force trust and commitment. By agreeing upon purpose and goals, your team members forge their accountability to one another — not just to the leader. Today's Management Tip was adapted from the HBR Guide to Managing Up and Across. Buy the book to achieve your goals when you lack formal authority » Share Today's Tip: FEATURED PRODUCT HBR Guide to Managing Up and Across HBR Press Book ARE YOUR WORKING RELATIONSHIPS WORKING AGAINST YOU? To achieve your goals and get ahead, you need to rally people behind you and your ideas. But how do you do that when you lack formal authority? Or when you have a boss who gets in your way? Or when you're juggling others' needs at the expense of your own? By managing up, down, and across the organization. Your success depends on it, whether you're a young professional or an experienced leader. ADVERTISEMENT Follow the Tip: PREVIOUS TIPS Get a Job Offer from a Stranger Focus Your Business Pitch on Yourself, Not Your Plan Write an Email That People Will Read Give Feedback That Crosses Cultures Stop Going to So Many Meetings Job Seekers: Focus on Achievements Use Your Crowd to Source Ideas Go After High-Quality Revenue The Right Way to Voice Your Complaint Improve Your Ability to Anticipate Crises All Previous Tips BEST SELLERS HBR Guide to Persuasive Presentations Ebook + Video Case Study HBR's 10 Must Reads on Leadership HBR's 10 Must Reads on Managing Yourself HBR's 10 Must Reads: The Essentials HBR Guide to Getting the Right Work Done Introducing Mobile ManageMentor Powered by the proven content of Harvard ManageMentor™ iTunes >> Android >> UNSUBSCRIBE   |   UPDATE YOUR PROFILE   |   MORE EMAIL NEWSLETTERS   |   PRIVACY POLICY Was this email forwarded to you? If so, sign up to start receiving your own copy. ABOUT THIS MAILING LIST You have received this message because you subscribed to the "Management Tip of the Day" email newsletter from Harvard Business Review. If at any point you wish to remove yourself from this list, change your email address, or sign up for other email newsletters and alerts, please visit the Harvard Business Review Email Newsletter Preference Center. OPT OUT If you do not wish to receive any email messages from Harvard Business Review, click here. ADVERTISE WITH HBR This enewsletter is read by thousands of decision makers every day. Learn more about connecting your brand with this audience. Copyright © 2013 Harvard Business School Publishing, an affiliate of Harvard Business School. All rights reserved. Harvard Business Publishing | 60 Harvard Way | Boston, MA 02163 Customer Service: 800-545-7685 (+1-617-783-7600 outside the U.S. and Canada)