What does it take to make an average or even a good team great? That is a question that has plaqued many a leader for many a century. Unfortunately, there is no pat answer to that question. The truth is there are many components that go into a great team. You have to have the right people, you need to have their roles clearly defined, you need to stay focused; all of these contribute to a great team.

I would like to take a moment to focus on one particular aspect of building a great team; a great team must be S.M.A.R.T. By smart, I don't mean mearly intellectual. The word smart is a acronym that stands for an approach to goal setting.

One of the aspects that makes up a great team is that it acheives great things. But how can we help our teams to acheive great things? By setting great goals and objectives.

Goals provide our team with overall direction. The old Chinese proverb may have said it best, "If you don't know where you are going, any road will take you there." A team cannot acheive greatness unless everyone is heading in the same direction and is on the same page.

Glenn Parker, author of Teamwork says, "A team objective is a clear, specific statement indicating what will be accomplished." When forming your team objectives or goals follow the S.M.A.R.T. rule.

Your goals and objectives must be:

Specific: When designing your goals make sure your desired ourcomes are clear and understood by everyone. Even if you goal is not completely on target, if it is clear you are likely to acheive it.

Measurable: You should be able to tell when a goal has been acheived. It must be measurable. Goals should end with a specific desired outcome. Ask yourself, "What will this goal look like when completed." Looping or unending goals are draining because you can never celebrate their success.

Attainable: While the outcomes you are desiring and beleiving to acheive should require faith and stretching, it must also be realistic. "Before you try moving a mountain, try moving a rock first." Make sure your goals are realistic. There is nothing more demativating that getting halfway through a project and realizing that your goals are unobtainable.

Relevant: The team goals should be in line with the overall direction of your authority (Pastor or Ministry Leader) and support the vision of the ministry. Dr. Mike Murdock says, "Broken focus is the only reason for failure." Make sure that all the goal of the organization are relevant to the mission, purpose and vision of the organization. If it doesn't line up, don't do it.

Time-bound: All objectives should have deadlines; a specific date by which they will either be acheived or re-evaluated.

If you will follow these simple rules in deciding the goals and objectives of your team you will find your team more likely to reach it's potential and acheive greatness.

*Kingdom Consultants Network can assist you with team building. Contact us for more information.