Notably, getting team transformation and the people to work as a perfectly aligned team can indeed be very difficult. However, it is essential for the successful running of any organization. Such problems can be resolved and a cohesive, high-performance team created by implementing a structured team alignment program.

Indicators of Aligned vs. Misaligned Teams

An effective team alignment program could make a huge difference in organizational performance for achieving team transformation. This section highlights some key indicators of how one will distinguish between an aligned and misaligned team.

Aligned Teams

  1. Common Vision and Goals
    1. The team members are quite aware of the vision and goals of the organisation and are committed.
    2. Well-articulated objectives and widely accepted which gives way to synchronised work
  2. Better Communication
    1. Open, transparent, and frequent communication exists in the team.
    2. Feeling comfortable sharing ideas and feedback
  3. High Levels of Trust
    1. Feeling the team members have trust in each other and in the leadership.
    2. Functioning in Visitation and reliability, thereby increasing the bond between themselves
  4. Collaborative Culture
    1. Team members display a very strong level of teamwork and mutual support.
    2. Team members are able to work well together, drawing on each other’s strengths.
  5. Well-Defined Roles and Responsibilities
    1. Everybody is clear about what his or her role and responsibilities are.
    2. Role clarity brings down confusion and overlaps, hence improving efficiency.
  6. Uniform Performance and Results
    1. The team regularly delivers results and attains performance objectives and goals set out for them.
    2. There is a strong orientation toward collective results with continuous improvement.
  7. Psychological Safety
    1. The environment is secure and free from reprisal, with the team member having the freedom to express his or her opinions and share concerns.
    2. Creativity and innovation are fostered in an enabling environment.
  8. Constructive Conflict Management
    1. The conflicts are resolved quickly and constructively.
    2. Multi-dimensional thinking and discord bring good decision-making.
  9. Engagement and Motivation
    1. The team members are very well-engaged and motivated.
    2. There is a sense of purpose and job satisfaction.
  10. Adaptability and Resilience
    1. The group is flexible and able to change quickly.
    2. Challenges are positively met and approached.

Misaligned Teams

  1. Lack of Common Vision
    1. Different or vague ideas among team members on the vision and mission of the organization.
    2. Mismatched objectives result in fragmented efforts.
  2. Poor Communication
    1. Communication is infrequent, unclear, or ineffective.
    2. There is a reluctance to share information or feedback.
  3. Low Levels of Trust
    1. Lack of trust in fellow team members and the leader.
    2. High degree of skepticism; there is a reluctance to rely on others.
  4. Isolated Work Culture
    1. Team members work in isolation and not as a team.
    2. There is little to no cross-functional cooperation.
  5. Roles and Responsibilities Unclear
    1. The roles and responsibilities are undefined or ill-defined.
    2. In such a situation, there is confusion leading to overlap, inefficiency, and missing deadlines.
  6. Inconsistent Performance and Results
    1. This team does not meet its performance targets and goals consistently.
    2. There is no focus on collective results and improvement in terms of this aspect.
  7. Lack of Psychological Safety
    1. Team members do not feel safe to express ideas or their concerns.
    2. There is the fear of retribution that kills innovation and creativity.
  8. Destructive Conflict Management
    1. Conflicts are ignored or poorly managed.
    2. Unresolved conflicts lead to tension and disturbed team dynamics.
  9. Low Engagement and Motivation
    1. The team members are disengaged and demotivated.
    2. There is an observable lack of purpose and job satisfaction.
  10. Inflexibility and Rigidity
    1. The team resists change and is slow to adapt to situations.
    2. Challenges are resisted and responded to negatively.

On the lookout for a great team alignment training program: This would help in molding a cohesive, high-performance team. An effective design in a team transformation and alignment program is one of the most influential factors in achieving greater collaboration, trust, and increased productivity. Ten such proven ways to enhance team alignment in your organization are discussed in this blog.

Proven Way 1 – Alignment of Values for Team Transformation

Allow your fellow members to share and communicate the core values of an organisation. This is the step to help transform your team; all basic ingredients behind any successful program are for the alignment of a team.

Proven Way 2 – Focus on Collective Results

Drawn from Patrick Lencioni’s model of “5 Dysfunctions of a Team,” focusing on collective results against individual achievements, this mindset also entails an atmosphere of accountability. It is team transformation in action, propelling towards linking the individual goals and outcomes with the outcomes of the team alignment program.

Proven Way 3 – Inclusion in Action- Focus on Inclusion of Diverse Thoughts, Fairness, and Creating a Culture of Belongingness

Bring in diverse thoughts and foster a culture of equity and belongingness. This promise of inclusion shall be inherent within a successful team alignment program for driving changes in the overall team.

Proven Way 4: Role Clarity and Setting Clear Goals within the Team Alignment Program

Define clear roles and set specific goals for the members of the teams. Be clear about the shared vision and strategic vision of the organisation—this lays the bedrock for any effective team alignment program aimed at team transformation.

Proven Way 5 – Effective Communication in Team Transformation (Dialogue, Two-Way, with Clarity on Intent)

Foster open dialogue and two-way communication with a clear understanding of the intent. This would help in building an effective component of team transformation, which enhances the effectiveness of your team alignment program.

Proven Way 6: Psychological Safety in the Team Alignment Program—Creating a Safe Space for Conversations and Speaking Up

Create a safe space for conversations and encourage the team members to speak up. Psychological safety is what is most important for a team alignment program and is at the heart of the whole process of team transformation.

Proven Way 7 – Trust in Team Transformation (Vulnerability, Sharing, Competence, Loyalty, Delivery – What Do You Trust Each Other For)

Build trust in the team through vulnerability, sharing, competence, loyalty, and reliable delivery. The very core of any team alignment program is trust, which has to happen if the team wants to transform.

Proven Way 8: Healthy Conflict.

Using Patrick Lencioni’s model of the “5 Dysfunctions of a Team” encourages healthy conflict to surface different perspectives for better decision-making. This supports the work of team transformation and strengthens the program on team alignment.

Proven Way 9 – Building Synergy and Collaboration within the Team Alignment Program

Begin building synergy and encourage collaboration amongst team members. These are the essential elements for the success of the team alignment program and drivers of team transformation.

Proven Way 10: Leveraging Strengths in Team Transformation

Identify and leverage the unique strengths of each member. Just this one strategy of utilising individual strengths effectively is powerful within a team alignment program and makes immense contributions toward team transformation.

See how TransforMe’s “team alignment program” can transform your organisation. Our battle-tested strategies and techniques have assisted many organisations in their pathway to success, simply by bringing about better alignment of the team. Discover how you can leverage these tailored solutions to take your team’s performance to the next level.