You're leading a consulting team. How do you keep everyone on the same page?

Few points : - Regular Meetings - Collaborative tools and open communication - Clear goal setting - Feedback loop and documentation

Implement clear and effective communication channels within the team, such as regular team meetings, email updates, and project management tools. Ensure that all team members are aware of how and when information will be shared.

Transparency is the key and the regular communication is very important with all counter parts, stakeholders and internal team members

For effective project communication, follow these key practices: -Internal Kick-off: Start with an internal team meeting to clarify scope, expectations, roles, and address queries. -Sprint Meetings: Hold brief, agenda-driven meetings to review progress, plan next steps, and make necessary adjustments. -Technology Utilization: Leverage cloud platforms for centralized information, ensuring accessibility to team deliverables. -Feedback Sprint: Conduct bi-weekly check-ins to address team concerns and gather feedback on the ongoing project. -Centralized Communication Channel: Establish a dedicated space, whether on Teams, Slack, WhatsApp, for agile communication among team members.

To ensure a successful project, it's crucial to not only establish clear roles and responsibilities but also to promote open communication channels within the team. Consistent check-ins, regular team meetings, and feedback sessions can help ensure that everyone stays informed and aligned throughout the project's lifecycle. It's also important to encourage team members to share their ideas, voice their concerns, and collaborate openly. This fosters a sense of ownership and commitment towards the project's objectives while promoting a culture of transparency and collaboration. By prioritizing these values, teams can proactively tackle challenges, adapt to changes, and achieve the best possible results.

What I have found helpful is to help the team focus on deliverables and timelines. Everyone on the team must understand how their roles/responsibilities contribute to the final deliverables. This will also make it easy for them to collaborate with their colleagues.

Starting from the very beginning, like in any other operation (also not in Management/ Strategy Consulting) there should be clear alignment about the company and team values. Consolidated understanding of 3/4 key values, such as team trust, ethical standard, commitment to maximum output quality etc... will cover any inevitable grey area or undefined expectations during a project and provide a directional indication of how the team should work.

You should start from defining the vision and the objectives of the project. Make sure the vision is clearly communicated and adapted constantly to reflect changes in the environment. Then explain the vision to the team in a way that they understand what's in it for them. Define the scope, deliverables and deadlines with clear separation of roles and responsibilities.

As a team leader, your role extends beyond task delegation to encompass guidance and support for your team. This involves coaching them through constructive feedback, acknowledgment, and advice, aiding in skill development and confidence building. Empower your team by granting autonomy, flexibility, and ownership over their work, and involve them in decision-making processes. Such practices not only motivate but also enhance team engagement and satisfaction, fostering a productive and positive work environment.

Proactive risk communication is vital for a smooth project journey, avoiding last-minute disruptions. I recommend an ongoing exercise: 1)Risk Mapping: Identify potential risks for each project stage. 2)Risk Assessment: Evaluate each risk's probability, impact, and develop a mitigation plan. 3)Matrix Integration: Utilize a matrix with probability on the Y-axis and impact on the X-axis. 4)Prioritization: Focus on addressing risks with both high probability and high impact. 5)Client Engagement: Maintain regular discussions with the client, ensuring awareness of risks, their impacts, and mitigation plans. This approach fosters transparency, enabling timely adjustments and minimizing project disruptions..

Feedback is part of the company culture and usually is rarely "innate" rather individuals should be trained about feedback and feedback culture. Erin Meyer and Reed Hastings in "No rules rules" feedback should respect the "four As" framework: Aim to Assist, Make it Actionable, Show Appreciation, and Choose to Accept or Discard.