Stay on Top of your Game!

I had a huge project that I was working on. There were several people that had different tasks that were crucial to the completion of the project. Part of my job was to make sure that everyone stayed on task. I also had other smaller tasks that needed to get done for the project as well.

I gave everyone their duties and responsibilities along with check in dates. I left that day and started focusing on my tasks, thinking that the others would be focusing on theirs. Here is where I failed. I made the assumption that everyone was eager, everyone was competent, and everyone would meet the deadlines given. I was wrong, mainly on the eagerness and meeting deadlines. Everyone was competent. What I did not realize is that they also had other projects they were working on, projects that were more important, at least to them.

When it came time to do the first milestone check, no one had started, but me. I got excuses after excuses. Who fault was it, it was mine. I did not own the project, and I did not see everything through. After the first day’s assignment, I should of followed back up with everyone individually the next day, speak with them on their understanding of the project, the need, and the urgency. Also, at this point I would be able to see what other tasks they had on their plate. I believe I would also be able to get more of their buy in and minimize any roadblocks.

What I learned is that I should be checking in on my team more often, maybe not scheduled or timed meetings, but brief calls, texts or emails to ask how things are going. If I were to do these random checks I believe I would be able to keep the team focused, if they hit a roadblock, I will be able to discover it early on and help them through it.

In the end the entire project was my responsibilities not the small sections that I personally took on. So if the team did not perform their duties it is my fault, if the team gets stuck and no one knew about it, that is my fault. When a leader takes on a project and is leading a team the success and failure is on his/her shoulders. I would give the credit of success to the individuals but when there is a failure or missing piece it is my fault, as the leader, not the teams.

So if you are leading a team you need to be on top of your game. Part of that is when you are a leader that you need to be on top of your team mates game as well, especially if they you are relying on their duties to help you complete your task(s).