You might automatically associate the phrase "team goals" with a sports team. However, the concept of team goals is applicable to many other areas of life, including business, family and school. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, team goals are even used by organizations such as NASA to help achieve specific, desired outcomes. In addition, team goals can be used to help increase productivity, boost morale, and improve working, school and even family conditions.
Increased Effectiveness
One of the main benefits of establishing team goals is increased effectiveness due to the collaborative process, according to authors Robert Maddox and Barb Wingfield in their book, "Team Building: An Exercise in Leadership." When a group is united for the purpose of achieving a common goal, individual members can stimulate each other, brainstorm and exchange ideas, and provide motivation. If all members are in agreement that the goal is worth working toward, productivity increases considerably more than if all of the members work individually.
Responsibility
When a goal is shared among team members, they each feel a sense of responsibility and accountability. According to the American Management Association, the atmosphere created by a shared goal promotes feelings of trust and accountability. Each person feels that they contribute an important part to the common goal and must be accountable not only to themselves, but to the other members of the team.
Problem Solving
The ability to problem solve is increased exponentially when you incorporate a team goal, according to authors Maddux and Wingfield. The team's combined knowledge and expertise acts as a shared resource, which all members can draw upon, should a problem arise. Problem-solving can be seen as a joint effort in which every team member has an equal say regarding the solution. Managers, supervisors, parents and teachers can assist in the problem-solving process instead of directing the team toward the solution, helping to increase the group's feeling of efficacy.
Increased Chance of Success
Setting a clear, well-defined and measurable team goal increases the chances of success, according to author Richard Luecke in his book, "Creating Teams with an Edge." A shared goal gives everyone something to work toward together, instead of aimlessly doing their part with no hope of accomplishment. Motivation to complete additional, future goals also increases as teams successfully complete their current, shared goals.
Member Comments