You’ve probably heard the phrase, “Teamwork makes the dream work!”
Now, before you roll your eyes, let me just acknowledge that, yes, I do know this phrase is cheesy and belongs on a colorful poster in a third grade classroom.
BUT, can I encourage you to consider for a moment that perhaps this cheesy adage we find important enough to use as elementary school decor might just be applicable for all of us? That maybe, just maybe, teamwork DOES in fact make the proverbial dream work?
When it comes to leading a team or an organization, this is one truth you really ought to take to heart.
Why?
Because the work of one person in an organization always impacts the work of another.
The intentionality of each individual (or lack thereof) will either help or hinder the progress of the team as a whole.
This brings us to progress monitoring. As I wrote about in my recent blog post, 3 Reasons Progress Monitoring is Essential For Your Organization, progress monitoring is the collection and analysis of data that allows your team to make strategic decisions regarding your goals.
When it comes to goals and plans for an organization, progress monitoring should be a team sport.
In other words, your whole team should have a role in the process because your whole team impacts the progress.
When you involve your team in the progress monitoring, you give them the opportunity to take ownership over the impact of their work. The results become more meaningful and effective when everyone is involved.
Alright, the question I know you’ve been wondering…
HOW can you involve your team in progress monitoring? Here are a few ways:
- Work together as a group to identify the benchmarks/data points you will be tracking. Give each individual the opportunity to weigh in on progress monitoring decisions right from the beginning.
- Make it easy and simple for all team members to access progress monitoring data. Create a shared Google Drive or Dropbox folder so that each individual can add and review information easily.
- Assign roles to specific individuals or groups. If you are tracking multiple data points, consider breaking the team into smaller groups or partnerships, each with it’s own specific category of information to focus on collecting. This allows each person to have an “expert” role in at least one category.
- Setup consistent times to unpack and discuss progress monitoring data as a group. This can be done through monthly or quarterly data meetings during which you review your data and discuss any changes or adjustments that should be made for continued future progress.
- Offer professional development opportunities to teach your team members how to take ownership of their own personal progress monitoring. The most effective teams are the ones in which each team member routinely asks themselves, “How am I performing in my role? What am I doing well? Where could I improve?” As a leader, it is your responsibility to ensure that all team members are equipped to do this valuable and important work.
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This unique program will offer you both instruction and support in the fine details of planning, data collection, and assessment. You’ll be given valuable tools and information in addition to targeted support from me as you start your strategic planning journey.
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Article was contributed by: Maria Lees, Team Writer with Sarah Boxx
