Conditions for Success

How your team is defined, structured, and supported by the broader organization will serve as the foundation for your success.

Successful teams are aligned around a shared purpose.
What is your team’s purpose? Do all team members agree on and see themselves as part of that purpose? Could all team members articulate that purpose with alignment to customers or key stakeholders?

Successful teams reflect the diversity of their customers and stakeholders.
Who is on the team? What diversity of experience, perspective, and skill is present on the team? What’s missing?

Successful teams are supported by the broader organization.
What organizational or team systems, processes, or rituals support your team’s continued development? Are you encouraged to work collaboratively or is competition getting in the way?

Whether you’re building a team from scratch or looking to improve an existing team, setting the right foundation is key. This includes articulating a team charter, defining team boundaries, roles, and responsibilities, as well as understanding and amplifying your team’s diversity. 

How solid is your foundation?

Set a clear charter

Whether you’re forming a new team or revamping an existing one, establishing a team charter is a great way to create clarity. A good charter is one co-created by all members of the team, and includes a clearly defined team purpose, values, and operating norms. Ask yourselves, what is the main value your team brings to the organization? What expectations does the organization have of you? What expectations do you have of one another? Avoid language that is vague or could be applied to any team in the organization; challenge yourselves to get as clear and specific as possible. Learn more

Articulate team boundaries

Teams do their best work when kept small—ideally no larger than 6-8 people. This is because the larger your team gets, the more diffusion of responsibility you see and the harder it is to create alignment and meaningful connection between team members. If the boundaries of your team have blurred or you’ve taken on more people than is productive, it might be time to articulate new boundaries and expectations. Who makes up the core team versus the extended team? What unique responsibilities do those groups have that set them apart from one another? What expectations do you have of each? Learn more

Consider your team’s composition

A diverse team presents a clear business advantage. Take stock of your team’s diversity. Do you have the right skills, perspectives, and backgrounds to meet the needs of your organization and your customers? What’s missing? How will you fill any gaps? Identify which gaps present opportunities for personal and team skill building versus which require bringing in new talent altogether. Learn more