Team assessments give managers and business owners a snapshot of their teams’ performance. They also allow them to pinpoint areas that could improve. Almost everyone learns best by doing things themselves rather than having someone else do it. This helps them build confidence and learn from their mistakes.
Create a Vision
A clear shared purpose is the foundation for a high-performing team. Without it, teams struggle with alignment and lack a clear direction – primarily when members work remotely or are new to the team. This can lead to disconnect, confusion, and frustration, which, in turn, leads to poor performance and low productivity. A team assessment tool can help the group define its vision for the culture and create a shared framework to build upon. Allowing the group to get to know each other meaningfully is also helpful. A life map activity is a great tool to do this – participants draw a timeline of their lives and highlight the key events, milestones, and achievements that are important to them. By doing so, they gain a deeper understanding of each other and are better positioned to contribute to a positive team culture. This prerequisite is for developing trust and creating an open, inclusive environment.
Develop a Mission
When a team member’s skills are adequate but needs to contribute at the level of excellence you would expect for their role, and it is essential to address the issue early. Consider having a Performance and Growth Potential Conversation with the team member. Ensure you are prepared for this discussion and loop in your People Business Partner for support. A key to successful teams is having a shared vision and mission. A team assessment tool can help by having the team create a preferred picture of their “preferred future.” Then, using keywords and phrases that describe their vision, have the group begin creating their mission statement. While most organizational and coaching approaches focus on assessing and developing individuals, the team assessment tool takes a unique approach that views the team as a whole system with its personality, spoken and unspoken rules, vision, blind spots, and moods. This approach lets you see the big picture so managers and team members can work together to overcome challenges. It also supports a more agile, responsive culture.
Identify Strengths
When managers showcase each team member’s strengths, they fuel performance. They also build the foundation of a culture of engagement throughout the entire company. Conversely, when employees are told they must “fix their weaknesses,” they shut down or leave. Either way, the team’s potential could be recovered. A team assessment allows you to discover the strengths of your team members and helps you delegate projects more efficiently. It also helps you identify areas where your team needs training or a new team member is required.
Identify Weaknesses
As a leader, it is essential to understand your team member’s strengths and weaknesses. It is difficult for everyone to excel at everything and every task, so identifying what you and your team members are good at can help improve the group’s overall productivity. A team assessment is an excellent way to identify where your team is weak and what needs improvement. The assessment includes 42 questions and provides a color-coded report to help you focus on the most pressing issues. The tool also allows the team to recognize each member’s signature strengths. Bringing out their talents can make them feel appreciated by the rest of the team, increasing employee satisfaction and morale. Teams are constantly evolving and adjusting to new circumstances. It is essential to regularly assess the team’s performance so that any problems can be identified early on. Team assessments can also evaluate team member changes, such as when an experienced employee leaves and a new hire is brought in.
Create Accountability
People need to know what they are accountable for and how their actions or inactions will impact others. This means clear standards that all team members understand. This also means that those not performing must be addressed as a group. While many organizations avoid direct blame or punishment, it is still essential to have a system that allows the leader to remove those who are not pulling their weight. Accountability also requires a culture of trust and communication. This can be achieved by encouraging risk-taking and building a culture of support. It can also be accomplished through providing regular feedback and promoting transparency. Many current organizational and coaching approaches view a team as a collection of individuals. While this approach has its merits, it ignores that a team is much more than the sum of its parts. A successful approach recognizes the nuances of how a team functions as a whole, including its strengths, weaknesses, spoken and unspoken rules, vision, blind spots, and moods.
