Musician Peabo Bryson once said, “I like that sense of we’re all on the same page and trying to get the job done.” That is a feeling that most members of your teams, including yourself, desire.

Is your team on the same page? This is a question that every team leader should be asking themselves every day. When even one member of the team gets off track, it can slow down everyone else. Getting everyone on the same page, quickly, is an essential lesson on how to build a team that can get the job done.

Getting Everyone on the Same Page Faster

How can you bring your team together and get them moving forward in the quickest manner possible? Here are three rules to get you started:

• Be transparent. Many companies tend to compartmentalize information. It is often not done consciously, but it tends to develop over time. This is counterproductive when it comes to building a team. People need to know how their role contributes to the larger picture. It is essential to keep communications open. Frank, open discussions contribute to making the best decisions. Transparency can improve employee morale and focus.

• Involve the team. Ideally, planning should come from the bottom-up instead of top down. If you walk into a meeting with a pre-set plan, the team is already off page. Management should provide goals and define projects. Team members should have the freedom of designing their own path to completing an assigned task. A team leader should coordinate to make sure everything gets done, but not micro-manage the way it’s done.

• Give the team what they need to succeed. This starts with providing everyone with the tools they need. A central planning tool will allow you and your team to track assignments and ensure nothing falls through the cracks. A central calendar will help everyone know about meetings and progress points. Everything that is assigned should be in writing for everyone to see. All documentation should be in one location so there is no delays or confusion. Social tools like chat or screen sharing can also help.

These rules will help you bring your team work together going forward. However, for long-term success, you need to know how to build a team culture that keeps you together.