If the 80s was the decade of the manager (remember The One-Minute Manager?), and the 90s focused on leaders (sometimes more like celebrities), the 00s is the time of team leadership.
No longer are companies relying on a single person to drive the vision.
The risks are too high, the talent thin.
The needs demand depth and breath of knowledge as well as skills.
Only a highly qualified leadership team can meet the challenge.
In addition, evidence shows that successful teams produce greater results and happier employees.
The shift, from manager to leader, individual to team, has made the ability to perform and participate in groups essential for anyone who wants to be a part of the discussion and solution as well as advance their job and career.
I can hear you saying "I hate teams, groups and all of that stuff.
" I did too.
I remember being a graduate student and having to perform research in teams.
I could not stand the process.
It seemed to take longer, we fought all the time and the quality suffered.
Looking back I realize none of us knew how to work together as a team.
The professor taught us the basics of research but nothing about how to work as one.
During this in-the-trenches experience I learned more about group functioning than I did in all my formal group dynamics classes.
When my career had me entered the private sector I came to like team projects.
They provided me with the opportunity to meet people from different parts of the company and work with experts.
There was mutual respect and a shared desire to find an answer.
The successes seemed more rewarding when shared.
It was generally more fun.
I could not have succeeded in many of my positions were it not for the strong teams I had created (or sometimes assigned) and managed.
If you are managing a number of people, consider placing them on more team leadership projects.
Mix the groups up.
Look for diversity of age, gender, culture, level within the company and specializations.
It is amazing the fresh ideas an outsider or new employee can bring to a management challenge.
Get yourself assigned to some important and influential leadership groups/teams.
Volunteer and make it part of your career and personal development plan.
Participation can be within your organization and/or on the outside in industry related forums or professional organizations.
Consider supporting a not-for-profit with your talents and knowledge.
Being part of the leadership committee is a great way to learn about other areas, meet powerful people and prepare for the next level of you career.
So here is the challenge! THINK of the teams you formerly or currently are on.
COMPARE a highly successful leadership team to a group that did not function well.
ANALYZE what was your role in each? REWIND - what would have made the outcome and the experience better, more successful? How can you CREATE this in your current job situation or position? If you are currently working on a team leadership initiative take a long hard look at the career opportunities.
Where do you need to step-up? Are you doing too much of the basic tasks and not enough of the strategic thinking? How can your signature get securely placed on the final product? If you are always working alone investigate how you can become involved with some form of leadership group.
For entrepreneurs this can be essential for keeping current and also warding off the loneliness many self-employed people struggle with.
Make a promise to yourself.
Place it on your yearly goals and objectives.
Place yourself on a leadership team.
You will enjoy it and your career will benefit.
Copyright Jane Cranston for Executive Coach NY 2008