Mechanical Engineering 1010

How to Build Successful Teams

David Bayless, Ph.D., P.E., Fellow of ASMEGerald Loehr Professor

October 09, 2014

Typical Team Problems

• Lack of Communication

• Lack of Explicit Expectations and Goals

• Lack of Accountability

• Conflict Avoidance

• Being “that guy…” [last]

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.”

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

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

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

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?

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?