1. Teamwork has to be well-managed
A Basque Leadership Team needs a Team Leader—a person who guides or directs the group. Remember, he/she points a group in a specific direction; focuses them on a goal. A leader not only monitors progress but escorts the group to the finish line. The leader knows they way.
2. A balanced team structure is essential
- Qualified leadership
- Succinct directions to achieve and understanding of stated goal
- Clearly defined roles and responsibilities
- Team members with the skills to achieve the roles
- Scheduled team assessments
3. A full range of knowledge and skills are necessary
Clearly defined responsibilities and qualifications provide the particular structure necessary to achieve the purpose/goal. Diversity in skills is never so essential than on a team. For example, who can oversee the Picasa site? Who will train the interns? Who knows if we have any money left? Who was supposed to buy the food? These questions can be most efficiently accomplished from a team approach.
4. Team members must be committed to the mission
- What IS the mission? Has it clearly been stated and defined?
- Is the team committed? Do we possess a consistent devotion?
- Does the team trust the means? In this case, do they trust the program?
- Team members must work hard at “team.”
An efficient Basque Leadership Team will be a group of people with a full set of complementary skills necessary to complete the JOY TEEN standardized program. They will operate with a high degree of interdependence, share authority and responsibility for self-management, and will be accountable for the collective performance. An effective BLT will work toward the common goal and shared rewards, generating performance greater than the sum of the performance of an individual member.