Gaining Full commitment from Your Team

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Communicating expectations throughout the organisation is an important function for any team leader. In my last article I talked about the importance of communicating WHY a task is so important. This article we will discuss the topic of commitment among the team. Although we all recognize the importance of having each team member committed to team goals, many leaders struggle with gaining the full commitment of their team. In fact research has shown that on average, only 40% of people’s full potential is displayed in the workplace. I think most leaders would be honest enough to admit there is a huge performance gap within their own teams. What would you say about your own organisation?

To gain the commitment of your team, each person must feel a sense of ownership toward the goals. Ownership comes from involvement. Involvement comes when leaders are willing to take a step back and ask, “How can WE do it?” Communication is a two way process. Here are a few tips for gaining greater team involvement.

• Invite suggestions from everyone even if they aren’t directly involved.
• Acknowledge everyone’s ideas.
• Don’t be critical or dismiss any ideas until you have gathered thoughts from everyone. Many leaders dismiss ideas as soon as they are suggested. This causes people to think, “Why bother, my ideas won’t be accepted”
• Invite everyone to scrutinize the suggested list of ideas. The leader should only make suggestions in regard to blindspots that others don’t already see.
• Consider any offers of help from people who work in other departments. Sometimes people are employed in a role they dislike, and secretly desire involvement in other projects. Keep your eye open for hidden talent within your organisation. How many CEO’s started out as cleaners? Too many to ignore.

When people understand the reason a task is important, when people have an opportunity to be involved in the process, when people feel ownership; there is a greater willingness for them to commit fully by using all their abilities to complete the task. When people are fully committed to a task there is always a higher release of potential.

Have fun exploring the potential of your team. They want to commit themselves to worthwhile tasks that challenge them to perform at their best.

Until my next contact,
CREATE UNFORGETABLE MEMORIES