If, like me, as your career progresses, you have become more involved in group projects both in personal and professional life. Groups can take a number of shapes including committees, project teams or boards of directors.

While the orientation and missions may change from business to charity organizations, the principles of successful group achievement share similar considerations. The difference may be in the role you play and the personalities and power characteristics of the group members. When you are the executive or manager in your own company, you probably have more control and input as to the composition of the group and the stated objectives or goals.

When serving on a board of directors for an industry association, social organization or charity, the other group members will likely have comparable executive or professional status. How can you exercise your leadership capability to ensure achievement of goals and successful group interactions?

First, it’s important to recognize that there are two categories to manage: achievement goals and group maintenance goals. The group was most likely established to achieve a set of goals. If the group does not function well together the likelihood of success will be severely diminished. And the continued existence and effectiveness of the group will be in doubt. Researchers (Barker, Wahlers and Watson) have revealed that “the extent to which members attain their achievement goals will depend substantially on their ability to pool their ideas freely, make significant contributions and willingly reconstruct and summarize their ideas effectively and accept compromise objectively.”

For assuring a better chance at success for your achievement goals, remember to specifically define each goal and report feedback on the progress toward those goals. I don’t think this is new advice. But don’t stop your efforts here. I can think of many times when a group started with a wonderful mission and set or worthy goals. Everyone was on board and ready for accomplishment. Then for some reasons, the effective group function starts to break down. Attainment of goals became sidetracked and personality differences surfaced.

Sound familiar? Here’s the point in the group history when you are reminded of the second set of goals dealing with group maintenance. Attention needs to be paid to dissolving interpersonal obstacles. To continue to function properly the group needs to establish and maintain a satisfactory level of cooperation.

There are three group maintenance goals on which to focus. First and most common is to keep the group together. There will naturally be conflicts and disagreements so be prepared, but not surprised. This is normal as any group typically passes through the stages of forming, storming, norming and performing. The benefits of group contributions and synergistic thinking will outweigh the cost of inconveniences. An intelligent person once said that “all of us are smarter than one of us.”

Second, one would want to foster the continuation of the group’s existence. You don’t want to expend the effort to build a successful or profitable working relationship all over again. Why pay the same price twice? And third, take steps to strengthen the group. You may want to take some time specifically to address group interaction and effectiveness. Maybe an offsite meeting or social event may help create a forum to discuss concerns and personality differences. We all feel the pressure to achieve the goals of the group, but remember to take care of ‘the goose that’s laying the golden egg.’

When you purchased your car there was anticipation that it would enable your purpose to reach a destination. Driving from one point to another signified accomplishment of the goal. Without proper maintenance and fuel that vehicle would have limited value. How often do we not give our group vehicle the consideration for appropriate maintenance and expect great performance?

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Joseph Greco is president of Greco Apparel. Visit them on the web at www.grecoapparel.com