Collaborative Leadership Basics: How Do You Get a Team to Develop a Clear and Elevating Goal?

by Christopher M. Avery

In my last Advisor ("Part 9: The Power of a Clear and Elevating Goal," 22 March 2007), I told you that research consistently shows that very high-performing teams have a clear and elevating goal that energizes everyone on the team; provides crystal-clear direction, thus replacing the need for supervision, since the people are so self-directed toward the goal; provides the impetus to break through conflict and challenges; completely captivates the attention and minds of team members as no promised incentive ever could; and drives collaboration and teamwork to amazing heights. In this Advisor, I'll address the million-dollar question: how do you get a team to develop a clear and elevating goal?