What to do when things are creaking within your MT?
In the whirlwind world of organizational change, the Management Team (MT) takes center stage as the driving force behind successful transformations. But what happens when this team does not function like a well-oiled machine? It can lead to internal frictions that capsize planned changes.
In this article, you will discover how to address these challenges at the MT level and who can help. After all, the success of organizational change hinges on harmony within the management team.
Smartest move?
Teams used to be assembled based on gut feelings or individual abilities. It seems that sometimes we are afraid of losing someone, so we just quickly shuffle them into a higher position. For example, the best account manager is promoted to an MT member. But let’s face it. When people suddenly find themselves in leadership positions, it’s not always the smartest move.
This often results in an MT with strong players, but that is less focused on the team as a whole. And believe me, when an MT is not well matched, the entire organization notices. It’s like trying to navigate without a compass, drifting around aimlessly or inadvertently bumping into each other.
The first step
The Management Team, that wonderful collection of talent and individuality, faces a challenge. The diversity of characters turns out to be a source of confusion rather than synergy, since we do not know each other’s qualities and pitfalls. Strategies are beautifully articulated, but translating them into practice seems an impossible task. Too often we focus on individual talents.
Recognizing the problems is the first step toward change. Companies/MT members must become proactive and address their frictions before things get out of hand.
A solution for every problem
Now it all sounds pretty negative, but of course for every issue there is a solution!
Where do we stand as MT?
Solution: 360 degree feedback
Think of collecting feedback as a kind of online review system, but for the Management Team. You get input from all sides. It gives you a complete picture of how you come across within the organization and where you can improve. And who knows, maybe you’re already doing it perfectly 😉
How can we function better as a team?
Solution: Team Scan
The ideas from the MT are not landing in the organization. It is not clear where our strengths lie as MT and/or we do not function as a team. In short, we have no insight into our team dynamics.
Imagine taking an x-ray of your team. A team scan is actually such an “x-ray vision,” showing the dynamics of the team. With this information, valuable decisions can be made to improve team performance. It also tells you which chairs might need to be repositioned a bit differently to maximize potential.
– Vivanne Geurtz
What are my people’s qualities and pitfalls?
Solution: Individual assessments
With individual assessments you get a picture of what hidden talents there are in your organization with a matching growth path. It’s like a sneak peak into the future of individuals.
We need a new strategy, how do we go about it?
Solution: organizational consulting
Engaging an organizational consulting firm can be of tremendous value. They can help identify and address specific issues within the MT and provide customized solutions for effective organizational change.
Our policies need to be renewed, the vision sharpened
Solution: hut on the moors
Ah, the classic outing for MT members under the guise of “policy-making. Together back to basics, to the drawing board. We ask ourselves why we actually do what we do and what we want to achieve. It’s all about connecting and getting our heads in the same direction.
DIY or outsource?
Sometimes it is beneficial to take the reins and get to work on these solutions yourself. Yet there are times when using an outside agency also proves rewarding.
Using an outside agency brings three crucial benefits:
- Objectivity: they are not involved, therefore they can look objectively at issues at hand
- New perspective: these agencies offer an impartial approach to problems, bring fresh ideas and insights.
- Specialized knowledge: you’re (probably) not the first client they’ve helped with these issues. They know what they’re talking about.
Worthy of consideration
Before you rush to grab the phone and haphazardly approach outside agencies, consider the following:
- Time investment: How much time are you willing to invest in the change process?
- Intensity: How deeply do you want to tackle the challenge?
- Targeting: What specific answers do you want to achieve?
- Last but not least, Financial investment: How much are you willing to invest in improving MT and organizational change?
Conclusion
By actively working on synergy within the Management Team (MT) and investing in methods such as 360-degree feedback and team scans, a solid foundation is laid. This results in a well-attuned MT with a clear vision.
This creates a powerful flywheel in the organization.
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