When teams struggle with misalignment, vague responsibilities, or clashing priorities, it’s often not a talent issue—it’s a clarity issue. In this episode of Tech Council, Jason Ehmke and Duncan Mapes go deep into one powerful tool that solves these problems at the root: team charters.

They begin by breaking down what a team charter actually is—beyond the corporate buzzword—and why it’s more than just a document. It’s a living agreement that shapes team culture, defines roles, and holds people accountable.

From their own leadership experience, Jason and Duncan share the impact a well-defined charter can have on team dynamics, trust, and output. They unpack the process of building a team charter from scratch: who should be involved, how to navigate personalities and power plays, and how to evolve it as your team grows.

Whether you're leading an engineering org, onboarding new members, or trying to realign a project that's lost steam, this episode will help you build stronger foundations.

Top Takeaways:

• Team charters are often non-existent but crucial for team effectiveness
• A team charter serves as a mission statement or constitution for the team
• Creating a charter helps clarify team responsibilities and success criteria
• Engaging the team in the charter creation process fosters ownership and alignment
• Team charters should be revisited and updated regularly to remain relevant
• Resistance to change can be managed through open communication and understanding
• Stakeholder engagement is vital for gaining buy-in for the team charter
• Success criteria should be clearly defined to measure team effectiveness
• Team charters can help defend the team's purpose and funding during budget cycles
• The process of creating a charter can lead to valuable conversations and insights

Connect with us:

Duncan Mapes

Jason Ehmke

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