Meet Holly, our jigsaw puzzle maven, and your modern-day inspiration. With a blend of dedication and focus, she tackles puzzles like a pro. She begins by sorting pieces by what they have in common, whether they are an edge, a given color, a texture, or a pattern. She then focuses on what makes the pieces unique, like their shape. Very quickly the image comes to life. Finally, she successfully links the individual pieces into an integrated whole. As either a seasoned or newer executive in the digital era, you’ll resonate with her approach. Think of building your team as a puzzle. Just like Holly, combine the individual players in a way that lets innovation take shape.
Transitioning into the role of a millennial CEO or Product Development Manager brings fresh challenges, including uniting independent contributors into a cohesive team. In your evolving role, building a high-functioning team is just a part of your broader responsibilities. Let’s first discuss the key information you need to gather before forming your integrated team:
- Project Objectives: Understand the project’s purpose, goals, and expected outcomes.
- Team Structure: Decide the core roles and responsibilities needed for the project.
- Skill Inventory: Name the range of skills needed, from technical ability to soft skills.
- Team Dynamics: Gauge the potential for collaboration and synergy among team members.
- Resource Availability: Assess the availability of team members and any potential constraints.
- Timeline and Milestones: Establish a timeline with clear milestones for tracking progress.
- Communication Strategy: Plan how team members will communicate and share updates.
With all this thought through, you’ll be ready to embrace Holly’s puzzle-solving strategy and begin sorting your individual contributors by the KASH principal:
Knowledge, Attitude, Skills, and Habits (KASH)
Like how Holly categorizes puzzle pieces, you can assess your team members in the following ways:
- Knowledge: Consider their academic background and certifications.
- Attitude: Align values with team goals – i.e., quality, collaboration, and customer-centric mindset.
- Skills: Evaluate their work experience and specialized abilities.
- Habits: i.e., consistency, accuracy, and time management skills.
Assemble the Integrated Team: Much like placing puzzle pieces in their right spots, position team members where their KASH best aligns with project needs.
With these puzzle pieces in place, you’re poised to build a successful, integrated team that mirrors Holly’s precision and ingenuity. Just remember, your role involves orchestrating a multi-faceted puzzle that forms a masterpiece of innovation and growth.
QUESTION
How will you prepare the information you need before you integrate the key players of your team?
Chuck Scharenberg is the Founder of More Profit More Freedom, a consultancy that empowers CEOs and their teams to drive large-scale growth by integrating People, Strategy, and Execution components, with a strong emphasis on Execution.