Encouraging task completion

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Abstract

Chapter Two in The Wilder Nonprofit Field Guide to Developing Effective Teams describes best practices for encouraging a team member to complete tasks.

Issue

To ensure the successful completion of a team project, each team member must complete his or her assigned tasks.

Action

The following are best practices for encouraging completion of tasks. These practices work best when handled openly, so that someone who needs encouragement to complete tasks is given a fair opportunity to hear about and do something about the particular situation.

Describe the situation (the behavior, not the person) with the member objectively.
Ask the team member for his or her understanding of the situation.
Discuss why you feel it is important to resolve the situation and the impact of the behavior on the team's progress.
Ask for input from the member on resolving the situation and agree on a specific plan together.
Set a follow-up date to review progress.

Citation

Gilbertsen, B. and Ramchandani, V. The Wilder Nonprofit Field Guide to Developing Effective Teams. Saint Paul, Minnesota: Amherst H. Wilder Foundation, 1999. pp. 39-43.

Posted On

July 13, 2000

For More Information

Resources

From The Resource Center library:

The Wilder Nonprofit Field Guide to Developing Effective Teams

Item number: R1086

Related Practices

Keywords:

Staff

Volunteer management