Caitlin Clark was drafted by the Indiana Fever. Bronny James is going to the LA Lakers. Countless other athletes have graduated and are pursuing other career paths leaving behind their teams and former teammates. Whether the change in team dynamics is a result of a professional draft, a major milestone like a college graduation, an organizational redesign or restructuring, or an internal promotion to an advanced position – one thing remains true. Regardless of reasons or circumstances, when the people on the team change, the team changes.
Change can be hard, and team changes can be really hard. People celebrate “dream teams” because there is a certain, almost indescribable, and most likely irreplaceable, magic that exists. It’s described as “lightening in a bottle,” and one of those unique experiences that you know it when you see it, and wished it would last forever. But it doesn’t. Teams, like the weather, have seasons. When a new person joins your team or when someone moves on from your team, it’s a new team. Athletic coaches understand this concept because they naturally have a new team of players every year or every season. Leaders, as well as teammates, in the workplace need to constantly adapt to the ever-changing environment and that includes team dynamics. One day your best work friend is your peer and the next day he/she may be your manager, your department is being restructured and the team is being divided into two teams, or business is booming and your manager just hired three new people.
There is an adjustment period when a new team is being formed. New communication preferences and styles need to be understood, new rules of engagement need to be agreed upon, new workflow expectations need to be established, and new relationships need to be created. Getting to know new colleagues, their strengths and weaknesses, how they fit into the existing team structure, and how they are going to contribute value to the team is a process.
Follow the ON Point Action Plan to make sure your new team is set up to be a “dream team.”
7 Steps to Making Your New Team a Dream Team
Acknowledge the Reality – be realistic & honest about the fact that new people automatically means it’s a new team
Prepare & Plan – be proactive when team dynamics are changing; be extra focused, intentional & mindful of what you want to achieve
Over-Communicate – can’t communicate enough when it comes to reinforcing the team structure, vision, brand, goals & expectations
Get Connected – no one likes being the new kid at school; be open, welcoming, plan team building activities & encourage more collaboration
Pay Attention & Pivot – recognize the new team dynamics that may develop & tweak, modify & course correct as needed
Look to the Future – it’s easy to reminisce about the good old days especially if they were magical; shift to the future & be positive & optimistic
Celebrate Wins – as the new team starts to gel & come together, shine a bright light on how the new team is becoming a “dream team”
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