Dear Sixth Level, I feel our team is in a downward spiral. I am the team lead but not the manager. For awhile, I have noticed team members not taking responsibility for their tasks which leads to missed deadlines and workaround for others. There are a million excuses but it just seems like this behavior is being tolerated instead of addressed. I hate the uncertainty of not knowing what is getting done and what is not and most importantly, I hate it for our customers. Is there anything I can do? Wishing it Were Better
Dear Wishing it Were Better,
We feel your pain. This issue often arises when there is a lack of clear communication and defined roles within a team. When team members do not feel accountable for their tasks, it can lead to a domino effect where projects are delayed, and other team members have to pick up the slack, causing frustration and burnout. When this happens, there is a lack of JUSTNESS. To address this, it’s important to establish clear expectations and responsibilities for each team member. Regular check-ins and open communication can help ensure everyone is on the same page. Additionally, fostering a culture of accountability, where team members feel empowered to take ownership of their work and are recognized for their contributions, can significantly improve the situation. Brainstorm adding some of these ideas with your manager first and see if you both can brainstorm with the team and see where it leads.
TSL