How to Build a Successful Team

Working with a group is really an art and a science. Much of it is methodical and some of it is just about attitude and grace. Quite honestly, there is an ounce of luck involved too. When it comes to working with a group, I find that there are a few things that can make or break the success of a team or group project. Based on my experience in working with groups (and I’ve had plenty), here’s what makes a team successful.

1. Establish boundaries and structure from the very beginning. Even if all of the team members are on the same page after the first meeting, I can almost guarantee that nothing will get done for a long time unless there is at least some kind of schedule or some checkpoint deadlines. Nothing keeps a person motivated like a deadline, and if deadlines are set on day one, then there will always be a reason to keep team members accountable. Boundaries are important too. How do you want to communicate? What kind of behavior or action will just put you over the edge? What happens if the team can’t agree on something? What role will each team member take on? Setting these boundaries at the beginning will save time. If my team knows that I’m terrible at checking my email, then we can find a different way to communicate from the start so that we don’t run into communication problems half way through the project.
2. Share the same passion. We all know what it’s like to have one team member that just doesn’t care. And it’s the worst. Passion is usually what drives effort, and when a team member doesn’t care, his or her effort drops dramatically. To avoid this, find people who share the same level of excitement for the project that you do. If everyone shares the same attitude, getting along will be much easier.
3. Be understanding and flexible. This one might be the most difficult. Everyone works on a different schedule, so it’s important to be understanding of how and when different people work. If everyone is willing to be flexible and make adjustments based on other team member’s needs, then the work can and will get done. Establishing structure will help with this, too. If the team decides on a checkpoint deadline, then be understanding if a team member wants to work throughout the night. As long as the team set the deadline to allow for ample revision time, then there’s no reason to worry. Let people work how and when they want, and be willing to make adjustments yourself.
4. There can only be one alpha. This doesn’t mean that one person has to run the show. What it does mean is that it is crucial that the team has a variety of personalities when it comes to group work. If you’ve never been in a group where two or three team members are fighting to be the sole leader, it’s not pretty. Establish a lead communicator, and make sure that he or she understands that the role is to manage and not control. Without this role, teams tend to fall apart at the seams and leave unmade decisions dangling for too long. But with too many, the team loses all cohesiveness and begins to form competition within the group.

There’s no formula for creating the perfect team, but in my experience, these are the essential pieces that really kickstart success. With this advice and maybe some luck, your group project might not be so miserable.