Instructions
Read each statement below, and, using the following scale, decide how accurately it describes your team:
Strongly disagree: 0 points
Disagree: 1 point
Agree: 2 points
Strongly agree: 3 points
Place the point value of your answer choice on the blank line at the beginning of each statement below:
____ 1. Team goals and objectives are clearly defined.
____ 2. Team members are given clear and consistent direction regarding work priorities.
____ 3. There are clear team rules, procedures, guidelines, and governance.
____ 4. Team member roles and responsibilities are clearly defined.
____ 5. Team members are held accountable for achieving their individual goals.
____ Total score
Interpreting Your Scores
0 to 5. Team members are confused, frustrated, and lost. They do not know where to invest their energies and, thus, tend to be halfhearted about their work. Team members may be working at odds with one another and certainly cannot benefit from any synergy. As a whole, the team is both inefficient and ineffective. There is little likelihood that the team achieves its goals and delivers on the expectations of its customers. Team members should approach their team leader and insist on clarity around individual and team goals and objectives. If he is unable to do so, you may have to consider going to his manager. Your team simply cannot function in this environment.
6 to 10. Scores in this range indicate average performance in each area or a distribution of some low and some high scores. Having clearly defined goals and work priorities tends to receive the lowest scores. All too often the team leader believes that he is providing both clear expectations and consistent direction when in fact he is coming across as ambiguous and confusing. Team members may feel that they have to figure out what their team leader wants, and they become extremely frustrated when work priorities suddenly shift. Often the team leader simply isn’t aware that her team needs more direction. Poor communication is often at the root of the problem, which can be easily corrected by team members taking initiative to let their team leader know that they need more direction—don’t assume that she can read your mind!
11 to 15. Your team members know what is expected of them and can move confidently toward their goals. Efficiency is not lost by people standing around trying to figure out what to do or working at odds to one another. People know the rules and policies, and they follow them. Collaboration and synergy are greatly enhanced under such circumstances. Moreover, team members take responsibility to successfully complete their objectives and hold one another accountable when this doesn’t happen. It is only when team members achieve their individual and collective goals that they have a chance of exceeding their customers’ expectations and, thus, achieving SuperTeam status.
