Introduction

The term "team" is often misused to describe workgroups, which are people brought together by a goal but not necessarily aligned. True teams share a long-term vision, agree on immediate goals, and understand the need for mutual collaboration. In donor-dependent countries like Uganda, workgroups often operate in silos. Team formation transforms these groups into cohesive units aligned in mission and vision. 

Challenge

Limited Alignment in Workgroups
Workgroups in Uganda faced significant challenges due to a lack of alignment. Misaligned workgroups can become temporary alliances or pseudo-teams, achieving short-term tasks without contributing to broader goals or struggling with internal conflicts due to a lack of interdependence.

Approach

Coaching District Health Management Teams

Since January 2019, Spark Health Africa has coached district health management teams in Uganda on alignment. In March 2020, focus shifted to the newly formed COVID-19 District Task Force (DTF) teams to support the pandemic response. The goal was to transform workgroups into aligned teams.

Critical Actions

  • Personal Meaning in Values:

Leadership in Bushenyi district used root cause analysis to identify behavioural issues and created values with personal significance, driving commitment to community well-being.

  • Transparency:

Mityana district leadership disclosed the full budget for COVID-19 resources, building trust and promoting stakeholder cooperation.

  • Linking Tasks to Goals:

Teams unpacked data to understand problems, clarify goals, devise strategies, and break them into discrete tasks, linking everyday tasks to the overall goal.

  • Ongoing Alignment

Alignment was treated as a journey requiring proactive and patient leadership, moving beyond Terms of Reference to enhance team performance and collective impact.

Outcomes

Improved Team Performance and Collective Impact
  • Bushenyi District:

Personal values aligned with overall goals led to self-regulation and mutual regulation among team members, improving community health outcomes.

  • Mityana District:

Transparency fostered trust, resulting in better cooperation and a healthier work environment.

  • General:

Clear understanding of goals and task alignment improved morale and performance, enabling teams to measure achievements and celebrate milestones.

Conclusion

Transforming workgroups into aligned teams through the deliberate process of team formation leads to sustainable impact. Uganda’s experience highlights the importance of creating personal meaning in values, demonstrating transparency, linking tasks to goals, and viewing alignment as a continuous journey. These elements are crucial for improving team performance and achieving long-term strategic success.

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