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Assuming greater responsibilities

Q: As a team leader, I've tried to delegate responsibilities, but some members don't want to play a larger role. Should I keep pushing them, or let them be?

A: Cynthia Palka says:

It sounds like your team members might not be clear on their responsibilities and accountabilities to the team. Teams are usually formed when individuals must work together with a high degree of interdependence in order to achieve a challenging goal. As part of the team building process, individual members must set aside their individual needs and agendas and focus on what is best for the team. How clear are the team members on what is expected of them? Are these responsibilities in line with what the members are already expected to provide to the team, or are they additional tasks that will need buy-in from the members before they can be delegated? An effective approach would be to meet with team members individually to discuss what has changed in the team process and what new expectations now exist. In some cases, it might be necessary to remove a resistant team member if he/she cannot make the commitment to the team's agenda. A helpful resource for team building is Patrick Lencioni's "Overcoming the Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Field Guide for Leaders, Managers and Facilitators."