The case for goal clarity.
A study with 105 teams found a correlation of 0.63 between goal clarity and team effectiveness.
And, the same study uncovered a correlation of 0.61 between goal clarity and team efficiency.
Almost every evidence-based model on team performance includes the need for goal clarity.
Yet, in a LinkedIn poll, 32% of respondents indicated goal clarity as the area with the most room for improvement in their team.
A three-step approach can help to map goal clarity in your team. First, ask team members to describe the goal of the team in their own words. I suggest doing this in one-on-one conversations to avoid group biases like the anchoring effect. Then, summarize the input of team members by highlighting overlaps and differences in how they perceive the team goal. Finally, present your summary during a team session.
Hopefully, this can be the start of a useful dialogue aimed at improving team effectiveness and efficiency.
Source:
Van der Hoek, M., Groeneveld, S., & Kuipers, B. (2018). Goal setting in teams: Goal clarity and team performance in the public sector. Review of public personnel administration, 38(4), 472-493.