There are many concepts that qualify as "positive team attributes," but not every team works in the same way or values the same things — so there's no universal guide that every team can follow to find success.
As the hybrid work model continues to gain traction, organizations are seeking ways to enhance collaboration, streamline communication, and foster a sense of belonging among their teams. One powerful tool that can help achieve these objectives is a team charter.
With a team charter, you build a shared understanding of how your unique teammates will best work together — by outlining the essential elements of your team's communication and defining a set of concepts and skills that will focus and guide you.
A team charter is a foundational document that outlines the essence and working principles of a team. It acts as a compass, guiding team members toward shared goals and fostering a cohesive work environment. By establishing a clear understanding of the team's guiding principles and expectations, a team charter sets the stage for effective collaboration and alignment within a hybrid work setting.
The exact format of a team charter can vary from team to team. Some get extremely granular, while others stay high in the sky. Some teams build word documents, and others visualize charters through sketching. Any format is the best format, as long as it sets your team up for success.
A team charter should include an overview of the team's purpose, goals, values, and expectations. It should clearly define the team's mission statement and objectives, outlining what the team aims to achieve. Roles and responsibilities of each team member should be specified to establish accountability.
The charter should also include the team's values and expected behaviors, promoting a positive team culture. Communication and collaboration guidelines, decision-making processes, and conflict-resolution processes should all be outlined.
The collaborative process of creating the team charter is arguably the most valuable, especially with newly formed teams. Brainstorming, discussing, prioritizing, and aligning on your team identity is a bonding moment as much as a functional exercise.
A team charter serves as a reference point that helps team members articulate their purpose, goals, and desired outcomes in a clear and concise manner. By sharing the team charter with stakeholders, such as managers, clients, or other departments, it ensures everyone is on the same page, promoting a shared understanding of the team's objectives and enhancing alignment.
When team members actively participate in the creation of a team charter, they have a sense of ownership and responsibility towards achieving the defined goals. The charter is a jointly-created commitment that clearly outlines individual roles and responsibilities, fostering a culture of accountability.
Team charters are fluid, living documents; they evolve as the team progresses and adapt to changing circumstances. They act as a living agreement that teams can revisit and refine over time. By revisiting the charter regularly, teams can assess their progress, make necessary adjustments, and maintain a shared understanding and commitment to the team's purpose and values.
The main part of a team charter can be broken down into six distinct sections: team members, core values, group norms, roles, success metrics, and standards of quality.
For each section, you’ll want to complete the following exercise:
Have each team member add sticky notes with their name, two self-identified strengths, and two weaknesses.
Be sure to explore any opportunities for collaboration or possible dependencies between team members. This can help guide how processes are created and improved upon in the future.
Use a team charter to outline the essential elements of your team's communication and define a set of concepts and skills that focus and guide your team. Invite your teammates to the example template and review together, then move into a blank charter and begin your journey to becoming a high-performing team.
Follow these tips to create a team charter that truly reflects your teams’ collective purpose, values, and goals.
By involving team members from the beginning, you establish a collaborative approach that encourages ownership and buy-in. Effective teams contribute their perspectives and get involved to set the team's “north star” direction and expectations right from the start.
Consider using a shared online whiteboard platform or collaboration tool like Mural where team members can easily refer to and review the charter whenever needed. This visibility serves as a constant reminder of the team's purpose, goals, and values, promoting alignment and unity.
Encourage open discussions and feedback to revise and refine the charter as necessary. By embracing this flexibility, the team charter remains relevant and adaptable to the team's evolving needs.
💡 Remember: Be sure to update the team or project charter when new team members join.
Instead of focusing on surveillance or strict enforcement, emphasize the charter's role in aligning and guiding the team's efforts. It serves as a reference point to remind team members of their responsibilities and the collective goals they are working towards, encouraging autonomy and self-management.
Consider incorporating regular charter reviews into retrospectives or other team evaluation processes. Use this opportunity to assess the team's progress, identify any gaps or areas for improvement, and make adjustments to the charter if necessary.
Use these custom Mural templates to establish the ground rules for how your team works together as a cohesive group in real-time.
Invite your teammates to the example template and review together, then move into a blank charter and begin your journey to becoming a high-performing team.
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