It’s common for team morale and productivity to ebb and flow a little in a business. You might notice the energy’s feeling flat after a huge project or a strong push to meet a tight deadline. But what happens when you realize this is a sustained problem, and the way your team is working definitely isn’t working?
To help you understand what’s really going on and figure out how to fix it, let’s talk about four of the top obstacles that can block your team’s progress and hold your business back.
Obstacle #1 – Tension
Tension is often the first sign of problems within your team and can show up in several different ways, including:
- Missed deadlines
- Sloppiness
- Disengagement
- Non-attendance at meetings
- Doing the bare minimum
- Angry outbursts
- Passive-aggressive communication
- Radio silence
The key is to pick the situation, pinpoint the source, and act fast. You’ll often find that team tensions can be traced back to some of the other critical obstacles discussed in this article, so they are all good places to start.
Is there a general sense of tiredness and frustration throughout the company, or do you notice issues with one or two team members in particular? Is the tension between individual team members, or has it turned into an “us vs. them” situation between team and leadership?
Create an open and honest culture of feedback in your organization, so all members of the team have the chance to air issues before they escalate to the point of no return. And be candid with yourself too. Have you contributed in some way to fuel the fire of a negative situation? It’s likely it wasn’t intentional; it could be the result of something as simple as not showing gratitude for your team’s efforts or a clash in communication styles. But tension is toxic in an organization. If you don’t nip it in the bud fast, the opportunities you’ll lose and the potential revenue you’ll miss out on could have catastrophic consequences for your business.
Obstacle #2 – Capability
It can be hard to determine where the “fault lines” are when you’re struggling with a team that’s not getting the job done. You’ll need to put your investigator’s hat on to find out what’s really happening:
A few questions to help you un-stop this particular bottleneck:
- Is this definitely a capability problem – i.e., the ability to do the job just isn’t there? Or, when you dig a little deeper, can you trace the issue back to one of the other obstacles mentioned here?
- Do you have the right people in the right places in your organization? Are they getting the chance to lean into their natural superpowers and do their best work?
- Does your team have all the information they need to do a phenomenal job? Whether that’s a more detailed brief, clearer communication, or extra training, it’s your responsibility to ensure that your team members have the tools they need to smash their goals.
- Does the team realize that they’re not hitting the mark? Have you set clear expectations so your team members know exactly what success looks like for their role and goals?
If none of those questions solve your issue, then it’s time for some more difficult conversations. Sometimes it’s just not a fit, and the best thing to do is identify that as early as possible. If you’re frequently ending up with team members who aren’t doing an effective job in their role, it might be time to review your hiring process to make sure it’s clearly driven by the mission, vision, and values of your company.
Obstacle #3 – Effectiveness
This is probably the most draining of the four challenges because despite all the effort you and your team are putting in, the return on investment and energy just isn’t there.
The root cause could be linked to one of the other issues we talk about here, but if not, check if any of these three trouble spots could be the cause of your ineffectiveness:
Lack of focus – which can often be traced back to bad (or no!) planning or confusion in your team around what’s expected of them. Put a stop to the constant “reactive” cycle and proactively set effective goals and priorities for your team.
Systems and processes – or maybe the lack of them. Have you got simple systems in place for all the key areas of your business? And “simple” really matters. Too many complex procedures and processes can create more confusion than not having any at all. Do a detailed review of your daily operations to identify any areas that need streamlining.
Poor communication – this is a HUGE one. Crossed wires will have you and your team members going in circles for days! Not to mention the potential for misunderstandings to bubble over into team tension and frustration. Keep the lines of communication in your company open and make sure your team members know that questions and feedback are not just ok but welcomed.
If your team is struggling to achieve the necessary results, morale and motivation will take a heavy hit. This roadblock needs to be cleared fast -otherwise you’re just running in place.
Obstacle #4 – Capacity
If your team and organization are regularly stretched to the limit, you need to get out of the danger zone before customer satisfaction and team loyalty both take a hit. Poor capacity planning leads to tension and ineffectiveness within your team (as above), but even more importantly, repeatedly failing to deliver for your customers will have a devastating effect on your company’s reputation.
So how can you increase your organization’s bandwidth without a corresponding increase in stress levels?
Your first step is to revisit your strategy and planning. Is your approach still on point, or does it need tweaking so you can reach your goals in the most efficient way possible?
Then do a purpose and priority check. What’s your main focus, and where should you be putting your attention? Are you making sound choices for your business?
Once your strategy and plan are solid, match your available resources to the work to be done. Map out an accurate estimate of the capacity you need across the board. And don’t forget, this isn’t just about time and team members. Do you have access to the right mix of skills in your team to get the job done? Build in buffer zones – allow for the unexpected by adding white space to your plans, highlighting any areas where you spot the potential for additional risk. Having a plan B doesn’t mean you’re focusing on the negative; it’s just good business sense!
Good capacity planning means a happier team, lower costs, and more satisfied customers, so this is one step of your planning you don’t want to skip.
Tackle Team Challenges Before They Reach Critical Status
Whether you’re a seasoned leader or still finding your way in a leadership role, it can be tricky to get to the root of the problem when team troubles create friction in your organization.
Using these four challenges as a jumping-off point, if you can identify and act on team roadblocks early, you have a much better chance of solving them before they become a critical issue for your business.
If you need more help with this, take our free Extraordinary Team Assessment to uncover and resolve the obstacles preventing your team from reaching their full potential.
