As a leadership coach, I love witnessing the power people have when they come together, align to a purpose, and move forward with clarity to achieve a goal that will make our world better. I’ve had the honor of leading teams all over the world who seek to accomplish big goals- eliminate malaria, provide treatment for HIV/AIDS, prevent Ebola, and protect vulnerable children.

What I’ve learned is that the more ambitious the goal and the higher the stakes, the more the route from purpose to impact is flagged with complex systems (political, financial, social) and uncertainty (financial, governmental, environmental). In a complex and uncertain world, teams require more than technical expertise. Teams need stamina, rapid and calculated problem solving, focus in the face of ambiguity, clear communication, supportive processes, and talent that sticks together- staying aligned and committed.

Here are approaches to support team development:

1. Understand the team’s purpose, mission, or goal

2. Find out what inspires, challenges, and holds back each member in contributing to the team

3. Coach the team as a whole and one on one with individuals to strengthen their alignment with the purpose

4. Co-design with the team and its leaders an environment that supports success

5. Systematically evaluate the team’s performance in order to facilitate learning and to understand what is continuing to work and what needs to be improved

As a result, teams access clarity in their purpose and are able to hold this focus. They draw upon the strengths of individual talent, establish clear communication, commit to the work that needs to be done, and develop habits that sustain energy and momentum in overcoming the obstacles that come with complexity and uncertainty. The outcome is a team that works together -- under any circumstance --  for the sake of the impact they want to have in the world.