From the course: Supply Chain and Operations Management Tips

Solve problems as a team

From the course: Supply Chain and Operations Management Tips

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Solve problems as a team

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- A good team is the best tool for overcoming big challenges. But just because you have a group of people working together, doesn't mean they're working effectively as a team. Here are a few tips that can lead to better results, when you need to collaborate with colleagues to solve supply chain problems. First, make people feel safe. Psychological safety is one of the key building blocks for building effective teams. No matter what happens, people need to feel like they'll be okay. Next, focus on the problem, not the person. Make sure that everyone understands that blame is irrelevant, and when we find a solution, make sure everyone gets credit. Expect and encourage people to take personal accountability for specific tasks. When everyone is accountable for getting something done, then no one is really accountable for it. Be mindful of everyone's minutes. If there are three people in a meeting, then you're consuming three people's time. Make sure that you're using that time well. As a leader, when you're dealing with challenges, help your team break big problems down into smaller, manageable chunks. Once they understand your goals, and the available options, it's easier to come up with a plan. And finally, create a rhythm that aligns with your plan, and schedule time for updates. Make sure that everyone has a clear understanding of what they're supposed to be working on right now, and when it needs to be finished. If you're looking for a deeper dive on team leadership, check out Todd Dewett's course Managing Teams. I also recommend the book The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, by Patrick Lencioni, which can be a great way to help everyone on the team see how their own behaviors are impacting the performance of others. Supply chain teams run into new challenges every day. If your team works well together, solving problems actually becomes a lot of fun. And being an effective team leader could be the key to your long-term success in supply chain and operations management.

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