7 myths about teambuilding (with bonus track about hiring)
TRANSCRIPT
... and 7 myths about it
Zahhar Kirillov#tallinnsummerschool
Cooperative effort by the members of agroup or team to achieve a common goal.
Myth #1:team must stay together during the
working time (and even longer...)
● Don't be afraid. Try!● Syncronize!● Use Dropbox, Trello, Skype
Myth #2:Team needs project manager or a teamleader to become effective
● Children vs grown-ups vs grannies ● 'Duties checklist'● Outsourcing dull tasks
Myth #3:Teambuilding events help to build
friendship and trust, andincrease productivity
● Team needs a rest; project manager needs events (to build a friendship and trust WITH team members)● Teambuilding takes place during the daily routine● Team members must like common goal, not each other
Myth #4:Skills are more imporatant, than
motivation
● Aling your self-interests with team goals● You can share, borrow or even buy skills, experience and knowledge, but can't do this with energy, enthusiams and drive● Unmotivated hi-skilled member is useless (and even dangerous for the team)
Myth #5:Some members are irreplaceable
● Nothing lasts forever● Knowledge management● Discuss problems as early as possible● Let people go (and they will come back)
Myth #6:Ctiticism among team
members is bad
● Disagreements are good, trolls are bad● Social conformism (esp. for mature teams)● Lunch at McDonalds
Myth #7:There are 'rules of thumb'
about teambuilding to follow
● Individuals, Goals, Culture, Project time (period)● Improvisation, Motivation, Leadership● Trust and reasonable compensation (not only €)● Ask your colleagues if they are happy!
Bonus track: hiring new members
● Slow hiring, fast firing● 'Photo test' or quest instead of formal interview● Hire the most professional people you can get
(2x 500€ probably cost more, then 1x 1500€)● Maintain 'Star Map' – team skill matrix● 'A' players hire 'A' players, but 'B' players hire
'C' players
Those friends thou hast, and their adoption tried,Grapple them unto thy soul with hoops of steel;But do not dull thy palm with entertainmentOf each new-hatch'd, unfledg'd comrade.
(W. Shakespeare, Hamlet)