Code of Honor: the secret to a top team, for a golden and high-performance team.
I find it so exciting to see how leaders and their teams achieve success with the “Code of Honor”. Here, I will explain what it is and how it works!
In my previous blog, I told you about the criteria for a well-functioning team. One of them was structure. And structure is about context.
For years, I struggled to align my team members. I often wondered why people took actions that were completely contrary to my vision as a leader. Only later did I learn that everyone has their own perception, their own model of reality. Oh, that means everyone does things according to their own understanding… And that can be so different from what I mean by it.
Why don’t they do it?
- “Why don’t my people do what I want?”
- “Isn’t it clear to everyone how to handle this?”
- “I’ve told them so many times what to do, why don’t they do it?”
These are just a few examples of questions and comments I regularly hear from my clients. And then I ask: “What have you done to get everyone on the same page?” Or: “How do your team members know they need to do it this way?”
Are you responsible for a team? You MUST have this; it holds everything together:
Code of Honor – What is it?
- The secret recipe for a golden team, for a well-functioning team, is the Code of Honor.
- It is a set of established rules that keep the team together under all circumstances.
- It is a guideline for new employees. I let new employees read and sign it.
- The Code of Honor transforms teams from good to great.
Examples
Would you like a few examples? Here are some rules from the Code of Honor that I use within my company:
- Never leave a colleague who is in trouble.
- Don’t burden others with your problems; think about solutions.
- Act immediately; be willing to give and receive feedback.
- Keep the energy high for yourself and your immediate surroundings.
What does it bring you?
- Clarity: there is no room for doubt or misunderstandings. Everyone is jointly responsible.
- You have a clear basis for a feedback structure.
- The team continues to function well under stress.
- It enhances success.
- It helps attract the right employees.
- Everyone plays by the same rules.
I am curious about your experiences. Do you have a Code of Honor?