We see quite a bit written about teams and performance. Organization in the EPC industry for most part is a motley crew of personalities rather than people from very varied backgrounds. Most of these folks end up living several hundred or thousands of miles away from their birth places. Consequently, the behavior of these people are formed based on understanding and appreciation of cultures. When thrown together in a culture and ambiance alien to everyone in the group, the team tends to coagulate fairly quickly and the rowing in the same direction becomes a natural outcome. For me high performance teams have been led by people who 1- Understood the problem and challenges 2- Understood the team and their strengths 3- Established credibility with customers These leaders were punitive and not afraid to step on toes when needed. My own experience with a rather ordinary team made me realize even more why it is not okay to only jump to issues dictated by someone and blindly marching to orders without seeing the need to develop,motivate people. Know your people, know their strengths, utilize them and show them you care. Its not always about fire fighting. I have been fortunate enough to work with some of the finest leaders in the industry.
Team Performance- A low performing team- When the team leaders are only about self preservation , the team doesn’t really matter and of course they’re constantly looking over their shoulders. Its only fighting fires depending on the hour of the day A high performing team- When the team members feel excited about coming to work and know their ideas will come to fruition and they have the full back up of their leader. Its when the best symbiosis gets forth and leads to what really matters- Delivery and development. A high performing team also forms a very effective breeding ground for future leaders. This is not from a book or a guru but a humble opinion from someone who’s seen and experienced these first hand
Escape from mediocrity- Many a time most of us may have had the experience of being trapped in organizations that offer no motivation whatsoever, where mediocrity is the accepted norm and drags you to new depths. Thoroughbred pros wade through the monotony and the lack of growth but sooner or later you got to just get away from the cesspool and go work in teams that foster innovation and independent thinking. If the organization is holding you back and unable to envision the long game, its time you escaped mediocrity. There are others who know your worth, teams you can mentor and symbiosis can thrive. The rut is temporary and its good to have felt the dark to truly appreciate the light
Ashok's rantings- Travel, musings et al 