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Team Charter: Defining Your Team

Ben Parkison
Ben Parkison
December 7, 2022
Team Charter: Defining Your Team

It’s no secret we’re huge fans of communication here at Trelliswork. Communication takes commitment, but by dedicating time and space to chat about the ins and outs together, you elevate into a Team. It’s the difference between guesswork and Work-work. What to discuss? Oh, goals, values, objectives -- the super powerful, defining stuff. That may sound intense, but don’t fret, we’ve got you covered on where to start: 

Our Story - “Once upon a time, in an office not unlike this one…” Your team has woven a story together organically, take the time to document the tale. Get all stakeholders involved and chart the journey from inception to today, capturing the ups and downs that shaped who you are. 

Our Team - But really, Who are you? Bring the team’s humanity to the table by getting real with introductions. You’ll be able to complete your puzzle by exploring the edges of the piece each member brings, in terms of commitment, bandwidth, and strengths. 

Our Objective - Now that you’ve identified yourselves, discuss why you’re there. A terrific team doesn’t just exist to collect paychecks, they’re dedicated to knocking out shared goals, both big and small. 

Our Values - How does each team member tackle those goals? Everyone’s approach is different based on where their focus falls, and by discussing what matters do you uncover your common ground.

What We Do - Does everyone on the team have the same roadmap? Ensure no one is veering off on an unnecessary detour by discussing the nitty-gritty of what exactly it is that you do. Obvious, but powerfully aligning! 

What We Don’t Do - Conversely, you can’t (and don’t) handle everything. Manage expectations by calibrating the scope of your team’s radar: discuss what’s in range for you to handle and what is the territory of outside teams. 

Our Areas for Growth - Growing pains need not be a worry if you’ve already taken the time to imagine the future today. Dream together to be a stronger team together.

Sure, you can keep operating by the seat of your pants. But by allotting time to team rituals, the who, what, where, when, and why of your work comes into plain view. Ensuring that each team member has a voice in the discussion fosters respect, motivation, and engagement, and being aligned means you’re working together, not simply co-working.

Ready to level up your manager game?

Try now with your next team meeting

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