4 Ways to Get a Group Moving Productively

 
1. Focus on small steps towards a greater goal.

I learned a valuable lesson when listening to a motivational speaker with a military background.  He shared that the most important thing he could do for his troops was to make sure they understood the goal--that the mission was to get to the top of a hill or to recapture a position.  With this end in mind, he then told his troops to measure every tactic against whether or not it was moving them closer to their target.
2. Get everyone contributing.

The best way to overcome team inertia is to provide straightforward tasks where everyone can pitch in. Goals are only useful if all team members know exactly what to do. At ASJA's annual conference we run an event called Client Connections where editors, agents and other clients meet with our writer members. It's always highly popular and this year we had a new person in charge. I wanted to make sure she'd have lots of clients on hand, so I asked our 15 board members to share their contacts with her. Most did, and the event was the big success I was hoping for. Minda Zetlin--Start Me Up
3. Lighten the stress.

Feelings of overload and burnout are prevalent in today's organizations; large and small. With higher demand and fewer resources being the new norm, leaders must keep a careful eye out for the effects of stress in their workforce. To combat group inertia create an energizing environment that promotes physical, emotional, and social well-being. Check into group discounts at a nearby gym and offer memberships as a perk, make ho-hum meetings more upbeat and collaborative, and assign culture captains to arrange monthly outings.

4. Generate excitement.

 The key to getting people moving fast and forward is to get them excited about what they are doing, and fully engaged in their work. When you take on a new initiative, assign your people to key roles--including the authority to make decisions. Create self-managing teams that are encouraged and allowed to try new things and find new solutions to long-standing problems. Give your people visibility in the organization by widely publicizing their successes, and making regular presentations to upper management. Be sure everyone has a chance to contribute and to have their say. When your people achieve key milestones, recognize and reward their accomplishments.

SOURCE:inc.com