In managing teams, there is one sure-fire way to get results out of your team:
Post each individual’s results for everyone to see.
This does a few things:
- People are focused on what matters. There’s nothing like a big chart in the office or in the shared drive staring everyone in the face when they walk in or log on every day. Everyone is reminded constantly what the end game is, despite the day’s whirlwind or distractions. Get it!
- Pro tip: Have a clear statement of THE GOAL and even create the equivalent of a blood drive meter of collective progress with individual results under that.
- Everyone knows where they stand, and it introduces some healthy competition. Let’s be honest. No one wants to come in last. And if you tie a nice bonus to the leaders at the end of the project, sweet!
- Pro tip: Make sure to take a “rising tide lifts all boats” approach – if everyone meets a minimum threshold, or the entire team meets its goal, there is a special bonus or prize for everyone to share, regardless of where individuals ended up.
- Team members become problem solvers. Contrary to what you might think, posting individual team member results can actually foster camaraderie and teamwork. Where there are individuals struggling, see if the entire team can come together to address project roadblocks rather than focusing on what Johnny’s performance problems are.
- Pro tip: the manager does not drive the process here. The manager facilitate the team’s problem solving, and is a rah-rah cheerleader. The manager should not step in to solve issues by mandate.
This level of transparency may feel scary at first, but managed well, it can be a total game changer in getting results.