Vision problems are health hazards that need prompt attention. If not treated right away, they can progress to more debilitating eye disorders like glaucoma, cataract, macular degeneration and blindness.
The same concept can be applied to teams.
Visibility – make teamwork really work
Let’s say you’re a project manager.
You assign a task to one of your team members. At a certain point in the task execution phase, this team member encounters road bumps. He finds himself stuck and unable to move forward. He approaches another team member and asks for assistance. The latter gladly obliges and even uploads a step-by-step tutorial for other members who may have to face the same issue in the future.
Come rewards and recognition time, you acknowledge the job well done by the member you originally assigned the task to, not knowing he actually had to ask for another member’s help. Feeling betrayed, the second team member steps forward to let you and the rest of the team know it was actually him who completed the job, and that he deserves some credit, too.
This can be a morale-busting scenario, or others may argue, a classic case of trust being misplaced – something any well-meaning project manager or team leader would rather not have a hand in, especially in a team meeting or R&R event.
Visibility – why it’s important for teams
Leading a team can be likened to driving a car. Visibility, therefore, is of utmost importance. If visibility is zero, or the bare minimum at best, and you insist on driving on, you may find yourself falling off a cliff or stuck in a ditch for hours on end.
Visibility in a team is important in the following ways:
- The team manager knows which team member is doing which particular task, and how far along the member is with it, which tasks have already been completed, and which are still being worked on.
- The team manager knows the status of tasks and projects, and can make accurate forecasts about whether or not the project can be completed on time, or if reinforcements are needed to meet the expected delivery date.
- Team members know what they’re supposed to do next and what tasks other team members are working on. Or if they’ve already completed their individual assignments, they can easily identify who to assist.
- If questions about certain tasks arise, the team knows who to approach for further instructions and clarifications.
- Rewards and accolades – conversely, coaching and/or performance improvement plans – are given to team members who truly deserve them, effectively killing resentment and hostility even before they start brewing.
Conclusion
Teamwork doesn’t freely fall from the skies. It isn’t necessarily easy to achieve, either. Teamwork that truly works is, first and foremost, instigated by team leaders who are available, approachable, have a ready ear to listen, who value inputs and suggestions and know how much management – micromanagement vs. laid-back management – their teams need.
And while there truly are a lot of factors that make up teamwork, visibility is one of the most important. When it comes to ensuring team performance, surely, you wouldn’t want the blind leading the blind.
If you’re in the market for a task management software that provides end-to-end visibility, Comindware Tracker is worth considering.