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Mechanical Engineering 1010
How to Build Successful Teams
David Bayless, Ph.D., P.E., Fellow of ASMEGerald Loehr Professor
October 09, 2014
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Typical Team Problems
• Lack of Communication
• Lack of Explicit Expectations and Goals
• Lack of Accountability
• Conflict Avoidance
• Being “that guy…” [last]
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Communication = Success • Communication means : DO NOT ASSUME people know,
remember or read your mind• Communication means: Give timely responses and
information• Communication means: Give clear responses • Summarize weekly team expectations in an email or text• Let your team know if you cannot mean the deadline on
an expectation BEFORE the deadline• Be sure you explain yourself – not everyone understands
“Let’s meet at 1pm next Sunday.”
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Russ College of Engineering and Technology
Setting Explicit Expectations• Nothing fails as fast as ambiguity
• I thought “HE” was going to do that• I thought we were going to do that tomorrow
• Define clear roles for EACH team member• “Team” will not assemble the car• “Team” will not purchase components
• Define clear due dates for each activity
• Can always provide flexibility AFTER definition
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Russ College of Engineering and Technology
Accountability• If there are no consequences, what is the point?
• People will do what it is expected, unless they don’t have to• What are your consequences
• Design reports will ask for problems
• End of course 360°review of the team
• Some team members will be happy with a crappy grade, so that may not be a suitable consequence
• There is no right to a team in ME 1010
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Russ College of Engineering and Technology
Conflict Avoidance• No one wants to cause “waves”
• Building up resentments solves nothing
• Addressing the problem is the solution• Use tact• Keep the productive outcome in mind
• Dr. Bayless can help mediate
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Russ College of Engineering and Technology
Summary• Discuss/communicate clearly and in writing with your
team
• Set explicit outcomes and actions for each member of the team
• There are consequences for inaction
• Address problems with the team tactfully
• Remember – the only person you can change is you. What are you doing to make your team better?
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Russ College of Engineering and Technology
Assignment for Oct. 21(Individual)
• How are you communicating with your team and among your team? Provide examples of your weekly action item emails and other communications.
• What are the problems on your team?
• What actions have you taken to resolve the problems
• Through testing (October 30), what actions are you explicitly taking to make your team better?