5 Top Questions on Team Success

Quick Summary: In this podcast episode, we explore essential strategies for achieving team success in delivery roles, addressing autonomy, conflict resolution, encouraging participation, balancing remote and in-person work, and managing delivery alongside other business priorities. By implementing strategic approaches and maintaining clear communication, leaders can effectively guide their teams to deliver business outcomes and drive innovation.

The detail bits…

Hey, welcome to another edition of the Change Leaders Playbook Newsletter, where you get summaries and direct links for new podcast episodes, plus a few more extras coming soon.

In episode 3, I covered 5 of the most common questions I get asked about how best to work in delivery teams. I originally intend to cover 10 but soon realised 5 was plenty for one episode.

If you want a quick summary to read, here it goes. I’m really interested in your views, what would be your response to any of these questions? What other questions do you have? Let me know on LinkedIn.

1. How Much Autonomy Should You Give Team Members?

Nobody likes to be micromanaged. As a leader, it's crucial to stay informed and help resolve issues before they escalate. However, total autonomy can be counter-productive, leading to overconfidence and a drop in performance. According to a study by Harvard Business Review, teams with some level of autonomy perform better than those with full or no autonomy.

Key Takeaways:

• Use tools like Kanban boards and shared diaries for visibility and collaboration.

• Have individual discussions with team members to understand their work styles and preferences.

• Gradually increase autonomy based on confidence in their capabilities, with regular check-ins.

2. What If Team Members Don’t Get Along? Should You Switch Them Around?

Conflicts can impact productivity and innovation. It’s essential to revisit the team’s mission and ensure everyone knows their roles and the common goal.

Conflict Resolution Tips:

• Keep communication open: Facilitate face-to-face meetings in neutral locations.

• Listen: Understand all perspectives empathetically.

• Focus on the problem, not individuals: Identify common goals and areas of disagreement.

• Develop and act on a plan: Establish guidelines and follow through decisively.

3. How Do You Manage Someone Who Doesn’t Speak Up?

Not everyone is naturally vocal. It’s important to understand if it’s an issue or just a preference.

Strategies for Encouraging Participation:

• Use various collaboration tools, not just stand-ups or scrums.

• Mix interaction types and bring quieter members into discussions.

• Maintain regular one-on-one meetings to catch any missed opportunities.

Insight: Your quiet employees might be your most valuable, as highlighted by a LinkedIn study.

4. My Team Doesn’t Want to Work in Person. What Do I Do?

With the right tools, remote work can be highly effective. However, having agreed days in the office can enhance collaboration.

Balancing Remote and In-Person Work:

• Remote work offers flexibility and reduces commute times.

• Office work provides structure and clearer separation of work and home life.

• A hybrid model often works best. For instance, small meetings can be virtual, while large ones are better in person.

A Stanford Review suggests that managers should decide on WFH days, and it should apply uniformly from the CEO downwards.

5. How Do I Balance Delivery with Other Business Priorities?

Balancing delivery with other business priorities requires a strategic view. This is often the case where individuals hold project and non-project roles, whilst having to keep their ‘day job’ moving forward.

Key Strategies:

• Prioritise tasks based on their impact on overall business objectives.

• Keep communication open between team members and managers.

• Quantify opportunity costs and adjust plans based on changing priorities.

By being honest about requirements and maintaining clear communication, you can better manage resources and project timelines.

This podcast episode is available on your favourite platforms like Spotify , Apple , Audible.

That’s the summary for now, consider subscribing to the newsletter to make sure you don’t miss new updates, I’ll catch you on the next edition!

Keep delivering, keep learning,

Cliff