Team performance management, the process of adjusting the composition, context, or direction of a team in order to make it more effective, is a complex undertaking. The dynamics within any team are influenced by a variety of factors because, by definition, a team is comprised of multiple individuals, all bringing their own strengths to the table. Along with those strengths, however, come habits and hangups that also have an effect on the success of a team. Here, we’ll look at some of the major personal issues that can affect a team and discuss a few team performance management techniques and solutions that can help.

What’s the Problem?

Humans are remarkably complicated, a fact we often recognize in ourselves, but fail to remember about others. At the same time when any one given member of a team is dealing with frustrations and stress about money, work, lack of sleep, family troubles, or any other number of issues, other teammates are experiencing difficulties of their own. The result is a cocktail of ingredients that are not easily identifiable and that may or may not mix well on any given day. Let’s look at the numbers, according to The Washington Post:

1. Almost three quarters of Americans say that money is the most stressful thing in their lives.
2. Almost two thirds of Americans feel significantly stressed about work.
3. Overweight children and adults have a harder time coping with stress related to change.

More than half of all Americans are concerned about their stress levels.

4. A quarter of workers have missed work in order to cope with feelings of stress.
5. Only two thirds of Americans say that they are likely to seek help for stress.

With all of the personal factors of the members of a team in the mix, it is performance managment is often rather difficult. Fortunately, there are team performance management solutions that can help groups to cope with their struggles individually and within the context of their teams.

Team Performance Management Solutions

Many individuals who seek help coping with change and with stress opt to work with life coaches and self help books. In fact, 2001 saw 3500 self help books published, a number which accounted for 2.6% of all books published in that year. Certainly, not all life coaches or self help books address the same topics or utilize the same techniques for helping clients cope with stress and change. They do, however, usually have one thing in common: they focus on helping the client make personal changes that can positively impact their ability to handle stress and change. In the context of a team, those changes can be vital. Examples of those changes might include:

1. Cultivating determination
2. Demonstrating enthusiasm
3. Carefully listening
4. Learning to trust
5. Seeking accountability
6. Demonstrating perseverance
7. Developing better habits
8. Chasing inspiration

If all members of a team focus on those areas, not only will individual members be better able to cope with stress and change, but the entire team will function more efficiently. For more information see this.