Goals, Roles, and Expectations of Teams

Much has been written about creating goals. Whether it is for an organization, committee, or team, writing detailed and clear goals are essential. Goals set the direction for the organization and should be used to guide the subsequent decisions.


However, the roles and expectations for the team and the individuals on the team don’t usually garner much ink. Here is where I think we drop the ball.

I was impressed with the Indianapolis Colts players this year. Yes they have been having a spectacular season, but that isn’t what I have been impressed with. On December 17th the Colts won their 14th season game. Their record for the season was 14-0, they clinched not only a playoff spot but also home field advantage. There were still 2 games in the regular season. So the question became does the team go for a perfect season or do they rest their starters so that they will be healthy for the first playoff game?

This question caused a lot of speculation. If the starters rest for a month (their first playoff game would be 1/17/10) will they lose their edge? If you play the starters will they get hurt and not be ready for the playoffs? Should they go for a perfect season? Is a perfect season important? What is more important a perfect season or a well rested starters for the playoffs? It was a major debate around Indy.

Then I started seeing players being interviewed on TV. I especially remember an interview with Peyton Manning. When asked about whether the starters would play his response was “it’s up to the coach.” He commented to the reporters that the coach sets the plan and the direction. The players take the field when they are asked to take the field. I thought it was a great example of roles and expectations. Peyton was very clear in his statement that it was the coach’s role to set the plan and the direction. As a matter of fact the players expected and relied on the coach and his staff to do what was best to reach the ultimate goal, win the Super Bowl. Of course Peyton did say that all the players were not only ready to play but wanted to play. But he said they trusted the coach to make the best call.

There are many fans that still question the call to rest the starters and play the less experience players the last two games. We will never really know if his decision was right. If the Colts when the Super Bowl the history books will say that he made the right decision.

You can look at your organization as a very complex team. Each person has their role on the team. What are the expectations for each person? Is there an environment of trust that each member is going to meet the expectations for the success of the organization? Or are they only focusing in individual success? It’s all up to you.