Your team is divided in their priorities. How can you align them towards the project's objectives?

If your team is divided in their priorities and you feel the team members are not aligned towards the project's objectives, clarify, clarify and clarify the vision. Then provide them with the means to achieve it. Let your team free to find the best way to achieve it. (It is so painfull to see managers forcing their teams on HOW to do things). Observe the results and celebrate the success.

Assessing needs helps identify what each team member and the project itself require to succeed. By understanding these needs, you can align everyone's efforts with the project's objectives, even if priorities differ. Start by clearly defining the project's goals. Then, communicate openly with your team to understand their individual priorities and challenges. Use this information to find common ground and create a shared vision. Regular check-ins and adjustments ensure everyone stays aligned and motivated. This approach not only harmonizes priorities but also fosters a collaborative and focused team environment.

To align a divided team towards project objectives: Shared Vision: Clearly communicate project goals and their impact. Collaboration: Foster open dialogue. Encourage team members to share perspectives. Prioritization: Discuss priorities collectively. Find common ground. Empower Ownership: Let team members take ownership of specific tasks. Regular Check-Ins: Monitor progress and adjust as needed. Remember, unity drives success!

I remember a discussion where we had 7 priorities and bandwidth to work on 3. The facilitator initiated the discussion by saying that we actually have bandwidth for 1 only and forced us to decide the most important one (we were outraged). Then she said that we happen to have bandwidth for 1 more, and forced us to decide 1 of 6 tasks left. She did it till 3 tasks, picked top three and left rest of them!

In my experience, there’s often a valid reason why people struggle to align project needs in a group setting. It’s crucial for everyone involved to understand how their individual objectives fit with the project’s goals and the important role they play in achieving those goals. When we know better, we do better. Therefore, it’s essential to assess each team member’s needs, help them recognize their impact, and highlight the aspects of the project they can take pride in and take responsibility for.

Aligning a divided team towards project objectives requires a strategic approach. By fostering open communication, clarifying project goals and their interconnectedness, and empowering team members to contribute to the overall vision, I can create a shared sense of purpose. Utilizing tools like project management software and regular progress reviews helps track individual and team contributions, ensuring alignment with the broader objectives. Additionally, recognizing and rewarding collaborative efforts reinforces the importance of teamwork, motivating the team to work cohesively towards shared goals.

In my experience, no matter the scale of the project, understanding the why behind each task is critical in setting goals. When we know better, we do better. The why helps us make better decisions when prioritizing our goals for the project while managing other priorities. Setting measurable and actionable goals is essential, but without a broader understanding of the project’s objectives, it becomes challenging to navigate the unknown variables the team may encounter. This approach ensures better decision-making, alignment, and adaptability in the face of unforeseen challenges.

Life is different for each of us and do it is for your team members. This facilitating open dialogue and creating an atmosphere that encourages them to voice the opinions will help them work towards the project goal and prioritise organisations benefits and goals. As a manager and the team leader I have always worked on creating safe environment for every positive opinion that my team members has to offer.