To
accomplish the overall objectives given to them, your 'team' must be unified
and know where they fit. Above all, they need to be clear on the importance
of the overall team's performance, to the final result of any project.
If your
company objective is the usual one, typically increased profits, team-based
organizations can help you get there. There are specific ways to evaluate
and improve your team building skills.
For
instance, executive leadership must communicate their expectations of their
team. Team building is not possible without clear and concise communication.
As an example, is your team equipped with the appropriate resources to meet
their goals? How do you know?
How do
they get through to you when they need support? Included in the
communication necessary for effective team building is discussion and
interest showed by the leadership.
Get the
Right People on the Team
Another
important component to team building success, is ensuring that your team
members fully understand why they are on the team and how they can use their
individual skills to improve the team's performance. Assess their interest
in participating, do they feel the mission is important and do they feel
they will be better for it? Team building requires that the team feels that
there are competent individuals on their team.
This
trust is an important first step to team success. Do they understand the
importance of collaboration and the group process expected of them? Are they
clear on the role they each individually play in the success of the team?
You must offer all team members a clear path to provide feedback.
Show
Your Team You Recognize and Care
If you
want team building to work for your organization you must be able to
demonstrate that you value employees who take reasonable risks, unique
solutions and creative thinking. If employees feel that rewards are in place
only for workers who keep up with the status quo, don't expect much more
than that.
Successful team building requires that all team members recognize their
accountability as it pertains to the overall success of meeting goals.
Team
building can do wonders for your employees and your business, whatever it
is. Employees who really feel like they are part of something special will
give back by 'owning' their part of the organization. Spend the time and the
money, if needed, to train the people in your organization to operate in the
team mind set.
Reward
teams accordingly and if they do not reach their goals ramp up the training.
Keep the lines of communication open and the goals clear and concise.
Generally your employees will surprise you with their willingness to
participate and when given the right tools and the appropriate resources you
will probably be surprised at the results.
Team
building is worth your time and it is the future. The traditional way of
operating is becoming obsolete in the face of the results of team-building.
Maybe it's as well get on board now and start developing the necessary
skills, in yourself, to incorporate team building skills throughout your
organization.
Martin
Haworth www.coaching-businesses-to-succe |