By Dr. Jason Carthen
I have the wonderful opportunity to go into organizations and help them with strategic planning and ongoing leadership development methods. Typically when I do, there are several things that need to take place in order for the steps in the plan to take hold and withstand the challenges of organizational culture and typical business and environmental challenges.
Provide a Road Map for Strategic Planning
Many of the challenges that I have shared previously when providing a road map for strategic planning are related to poor interpersonal relationships between members of the executive leadership or planning team. There is no quicker way to derail the best laid strategic plan than to have someone on the team who is not bought into the processing, the drafting, and the editing of the final strategic planning document which will guide the organization for at least twenty four months.
So, how do we guard against the challenges of a teammate not being on board or just going through the motions? Quite frankly, the most effective way is to create and adhere to what is called a “Team Charter.” The team charter will help to reveal who is bought into the planning process and who is not.
Key Components
Here are a few of the key components of the team charter and how it helps everyone move forward while being on the same page. Please keep in mind the team charter is for the respective departments that will be helping to construct the strategic plan.
1. Draw up a Mission Statement:
It is imperative the group understand why they are coming together and what is leading and guiding the group’s efforts. High achievers will want to know their involvement means something and will therefore respond accordingly.
2. Agree on the Team’s Overarching Goals:
The short-term and long-term team goals should be developed and targeted accordingly for maximum effectiveness.
3. Agree on the Individual Team Member’s Roles:
This is imperative as the group seeks to gain synergy around the goals discussed and agreed upon by the group. Furthermore, this is where it gets real for all involved due to the high level of accountability and transparency that is going to take place.
4. Agree on Ground Rules for Meetings:
For example, the method of communication, and how things will work going forward. How to resolve conflict, and how innovation and ideas will be shared as a group. The team’s agreement on the steps to resolve a team members lack of effort or contribution.
Crafting of a Strategic Planning
While this list is not exhaustive, it points to the very real and important value that is placed upon teamwork in conjunction with the crafting of a strategic plan. Ultimately, the plan will rise or fall based upon the final stage of strategic planning, which is implementation, however without a team charter, the likelihood of reaching the final stage is highly improbable.
Please leave a comment or post on my Facebook Page and share with our community when you were part of a strategic plan and if you experienced barriers.Thanks for staying connected!
