Many teams get too focused on their own performance, creating silos and losing sight of the bigger picture - and consequently NOT making the impact they hoped for. When teams become inward-looking, organisational adaptability suffers.
High-performing teams avoid this trap. Their confidence and clarity allow them to look outward, linking their work to the business challenges that matter, building key relationships across the organisation and outside, and using influence to talk to the right people about the right things at the right time.
The next question in our team effectiveness model asks:
“Do we know who to influence and how?”
The best teams:
👂 Listen deeply first to ensure they understand key stakeholders: They know what drives other people and adjust their approach accordingly. As Peter Drucker said:“The most important thing in communication is hearing what isn’t said.”
🤝 Walk towards tough and complex conversations: Unpicking the nuances and competing demands so everybody is aligned on the same agenda.
Understanding unspoken dynamics is crucial for influence - it’s not just about what people say, but what they mean.
So, how are you helping your team develop these abilities?
🔑 Practical steps:
1️⃣ Use team time to explore stakeholders' motives and perspectives - looking to get a deeper understanding of what drives them is key to influencing effectively.
2️⃣ Encourage everyone to practice influencing skills - balancing inquiry (listening to others’ perspectives) with advocacy (putting forward your own views) in a ratio of 2 to 1. Remember “We have 2 ears and only 1 mouth - use them that way!”
3️⃣ Cultivate a higher tolerance for difficult conversations, but ensure they’re conducted within a psychologically safe environment. Difficult conversations start to feel easier when we listen first to understand, before we offer a different perspective.
When teams know how to influence both internally and externally, they don’t just get by - they thrive.
#TeamEffectiveness #Leadership #Influence #TransformationalLeadership #BreakingSilos #OrganisationalGrowth
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