learning & change

Aligning for a Common Goal

Harnessing the Power of Shared Purpose

In today’s dynamic and interconnected world, rallying individuals around a shared purpose is critical for success. Peter Hawkins, renowned for his work in systemic coaching and leadership, introduces a concept crucial for achieving this. Let’s delve into what it entails, why it’s essential, and how to bring your team’s compelling collective endeavour into focus.

Understanding Establishing Collective Endeavour

A team’s Compelling Collective Endeavour is a statement of shared purpose. It articulates an ambition around what the team must do together and can’t do individually or in parallel. Not every work group is or needs to be a team, but one thing that all effective teams share is that they hold a compelling, collective purpose. 

This statement of intent guides their collaboration and gives them the impetus to keep progressing in adversity. By harnessing the power of collective endeavour, teams can align for positive change and achieve remarkable outcomes together.

How to Establish a Compelling Collective Endeavour

Here are some approaches to establishing a compelling collective endeavour. These strategies are all valuable, and you can try them in different sequences depending on your situation. Additionally, you can approach them individually or collaboratively with the rest of the team.

Start with Self – How might your leadership perspective inform the team’s collective endeavour? 

Effective leadership begins with self-awareness and personal commitment. Engage in introspection to clarify your own values and vision. Then, use your personal leadership perspective to initiate a dialogue with the rest of the team around a proposed shared purpose. Lead by example, set out your vision and create space for others to contribute. Identify the overlaps in perspective as a place to start, then try one of the other strategies to refine further.

Questions to help:
  1. What are your core values, and might they inform your team’s purpose?
  2. Reflecting on past experiences, what experiences have resonated most, and how might they be integrated into your team’s collective endeavour?
  3. What personal strengths and expertise do you bring, and to what team purpose might they best contribute?
  4. In envisioning the team’s future success, what specific outcomes or milestones do you aspire to accomplish, and why are they important?
  5. How can you effectively communicate your vision for the team’s purpose, ensuring clarity and alignment among team members?

Connect with Stakeholders – How might stakeholder needs inform the team’s collective endeavour? 

Identify critical stakeholders and immerse yourself in their perspectives and needs. Imagine their priorities and concerns, fostering empathy and understanding. Use this insight to initiate purposeful dialogue, inviting stakeholders to contribute their unique insights and perspectives. Bring your insights and observations to the team to open a conversation about the value the team must create for others. Identify the overlaps in perspective as a place to start, then try one of the other strategies to refine further.

Questions to help:
  1. Who are your key stakeholders, and what are their respective roles and interests relating to your team’s objectives?
  2. What are each stakeholder group’s primary needs, priorities, and concerns, and how might they inform our team’s shared purpose?
  3. How might you immerse yourselves in stakeholders’ perspectives, fostering empathy and understanding of their unique challenges and aspirations?
  4. What specific insights or observations have you gathered from stakeholders, and how can you leverage this information to shape your team’s purpose and direction?
  5. How can you initiate purposeful dialogue with stakeholders, inviting them to contribute their perspectives and co-create value with your team?

Translate Strategic Intent—How might the organisational strategy inform the team’s collective endeavour? 

Consult the strategy for inspiration about the team’s potential collective endeavour. By doing so, you can link the purpose to strategic intent and create a compelling narrative that aligns with the existing mission and values. Work with the team to translate the strategic imperatives into tangible, team-level actions they can get behind. Identify the overlaps in perspective as a place to start, then try one of the other strategies to refine further.

Questions to help :
  1. What are the overarching goals and priorities outlined in the organisational strategy, and how do they relate to your team’s purpose and objectives?
  2. How can you align your team’s collective endeavour with the strategic imperatives to ensure efforts contribute to broader organisational success?
  3. What initiatives in the organisational strategy directly impact your team, and how can you incorporate them into your collective endeavour?
  4. What are the core values and principles embedded within the organisational strategy, and how can you ensure that your team’s purpose and actions align with these guiding principles?
  5. How might you engage with organisational leaders and stakeholders to gain deeper insights into the organisation’s strategic direction and ensure alignment with your team’s goals and activities?

Build on Strengths— How might the team’s strengths and capabilities inform their collective endeavour? 

Recognise and leverage the collective strengths and talents within your team. Use these aspects of team capability as a starting point in drafting a collective endeavour. Building on strengths creates a robust foundation for pursuing the shared purpose. Engage with your team to get their view. Identify the overlaps in perspective as a place to start, then try one of the other strategies to refine further.

Questions to help:
  1. What specific skills, expertise, and talents do each team member bring, and how might these inform shared purpose?
  2. Reflecting on past successes and achievements, what core strengths and capabilities have contributed to your team’s effectiveness and cohesion?
  3. How might you foster a culture of recognition and appreciation for individual and collective strengths within our team, encouraging collaboration and innovation?
  4. How can you capitalise on your strengths to overcome challenges and seize opportunities to envision our team’s future goals and objectives?
  5. What strategies or approaches can you implement to further develop and enhance your team’s strengths, ensuring ongoing growth and adaptability in pursuit of our collective endeavour?

Scan the Setting – How might the contextual forces inform the team’s collective endeavour? 

Stay attuned to the external environment, scanning for emerging trends and insights. Identify opportunities and challenges that indicate where the team should focus its energy. Bring your team together and invite them to scan the surrounding context. Identify the forces that seem most important and use them as a prompt for drafting a collective endeavour. Identify the overlaps in perspective as a place to start, then try one of the other strategies to refine further.

Questions to help:
  1. What are the current market trends and industry shifts that could impact your team’s goals and objectives, and how can you capitalise on these opportunities?
  2. Are there any emerging technologies or innovations that could disrupt your industry or create new avenues for growth, and how can you adapt your endeavour to leverage these changes?
  3. What regulatory changes or geopolitical factors influence your operating environment, and how might they pose challenges or opportunities for your team’s initiatives?
  4. How do competitor actions and market dynamics inform your understanding of the competitive landscape, and what strategies can you employ to maintain our competitive advantage?
  5. What social, cultural, or environmental factors shape stakeholder expectations and preferences, and how can you align your team’s purpose and activities with these broader societal trends?

Establishing a Collective Endeavour offers a transformative approach to leadership and collaboration. Fostering purposeful dialogue and alignment enables individuals and organisations to achieve excellent outcomes. Embrace the journey towards a shared purpose, and watch as new possibilities unfold.

To find out more about creating a collective endeavour for your team reach out to us via info@soji.com.au.

Photo by Ian Schneider on Unsplash


 

 

 

 

 

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