Are you promoting the individual within the team?

Sometimes the world really does revolve around the individual...

Question...Are you promoting the individual within the team?

There is a saying that applies to organizational development.  Usually, companies hire individuals for their skills and abilities, focusing on the unique traits that will enhance the organizational mission.  However, the majority of those hired, conform to the organization, merging their skills to the will of the group.  This organizational vs. individual focus comes with many positive aspects as well as challenges. How is the leadership to handle this equation?

The entreprenuer.com article by Marty Fukuda, the COO of N2 Publishing, gives advice on the issue of how leaders promote individuals in team dynamics.  In "Recognizing the Unconventional Keys to Your Company Success." Fukuda identifies several factors that leaders must recognize in escaping the "clone" syndrome, which turns team members into minions of the organization.  According to the Society of Human Resource Management report Global Diversity and Inclusion, over 60% of CEOs promoted team inclusion and individual contribution to overall goal achievement.  How are leaders to apply necessary encouragement to foster an environment of independent thinking?

Questions:

*Are you as the leader even recognizing the independent spirit of team members?  The goal of every leader should be to foster an environment where individuals can add to the overall mission/vision plans.  This requires leaders to let go of the reigns, after appropriate guidance, in  order to allow staff to move in their assignments.  In addition, the independence should come with requirements that are manageable, measurable and goal oriented.

*Are you providing personal and professional growth for team members?  Many times leaders are so focused on the goal, (usually measured by the bottom line), that they neglect to do the appropriate research on team member's personal growth as well.  According to Fukuda, " for long-term sustained success, assembling leadership teams comprised of individuals who are content on both fronts is paramount."  It is the job of those in leadership to take an active approach in enhancing team members, both professionally and personally.  This may involve assigning initial leadership tasks, asking what seminars will enhance their job performance, or even asking how the individual is fairing during tasks.

*How do you recognize achievement?  Leaders should find ways to reward staff for great performance.  The goals and aspirations of the organization are only achieved when personnel involved are given the tools to do their jobs.  In many cases, it's not what is done during the goal, but who people are that makes achieving the goal possible.

In the final equation, the whole is more important than the sum of its parts.  Individuals make groups, groups makes teams and teams make organizations...

TPP