Optimizing team performance

[rock1000]

I have to lead a team at work, and it has been pretty difficult getting the team to work together lately. We have an assignment that has great incentive for the team members but is not a 'deliverable' per se.

When the team was put together, everybody knew this and were all excited about the project. Things changed quickly thereafter. People on the team didn't get along and after that was fixed, some other nay sayers had the final word, and the momentum was lost.

In spite of all my efforts, I am unable to motivate the team to work towards finishing our assignment in time. There is a feeling in the team that I am the only one responsible for the assignment, so they needn't bother about it.

I've tried to be nicely firm with them, and tried to us to work. For some reason, it isn't working right. My last resort is to use the stick, but that would only make things worse for future assignments.

What do I do?

[mattsonn]

You'll just have to salvage what you can. In the future, remember that it's very important to set rules, boundaries, and limitations (thankyou, Dog Whisperer) with your teammates. You don't have to take the stick out, but you need to be calm and assertive.