TEAM-BUILDING WORKSHOP

Key Points

A TEAM IS A COLLECTION OF INDIVIDUALS GUIDED BY A

COMMON PURPOSE STRIVING FOR THE SAME.. WITH A

GOOD TEAM, THE WHOLE IS BETTER THAN THE SUM OF

THE PARTS

(Mallory, 1991)

GOOD REASONS TO FORM A TEAM

To solve problems by drawing on the talents of variety of individuals.

To foster togetherness in the workplace while tackling projects.

To reduce or eliminate a lack of communication among staff members on projects.

To heighten productivity by encouraging an atmosphere of cooperation.

To achieve a solution that might be unpopular to some but is the desire of the majority.

WEAK REASONS TO FORM A TEAM

To lighten the workload of the supervisor (this requires delegation.)

To make workers transfer knowledge to one another to save educational costs (these people need training.)

To determine the opinions and working styles of the staff (this organization need improved communication.)

To get the staff to work harder (they need better supervision or motivation and rewards.)

ADVANTAGES TO YOUTHE TEAM-BUILDING EXPERIENCE IS VALUABLE IN MANY JOBS—NOT JUST YOUR CURRENT POSITION. THE SKILLS ARE USEFUL FOR:

Executive positions. Nearly every executive must, at one time or another , work with or direct a team.

Mid-level managers. Whether you supervise two or 200 people, you could be called upon to form a team. Having learned the necessary skills gives you an advantage when the situation occurs.

ADVANTAGES TO YOUTHE TEAM-BUILDING EXPERIENCE IS VALUABLE IN MANY JOBS—NOT JUST YOUR CURRENT POSITION. THE SKILLS ARE USEFUL FOR:

Entrepreneurs. Knowing how to lead a team comes in handy if you are self-employed, operate your own business or are part of a network of associates. You’ll be able to tap the brain power and knowledge of others in a group setting.

Working with people. Any position where you work with people requires good human relations skills. By exposing yourself to the teamwork process, you’ll get greater insight into individual differences and how these differences can be managed to achieve a collective goal

KEY ROLES IN TEAMS

Team Leader Critic Implementer External Contact Coordinator Ideas Person Inspector

CHARACTERISTICS OF TEAM PLAYERS(MALLORY, 1991)

1. Dominant2. Influencer3. Balancer4. Loyalist

FOCUSING ON TEAM BASICS

Performance Results

Accountability

Mutual

Small number of people

Individual

Problem Solving

Technical/ function

Interpersonal

Skill

s

Specific goals

Common approach

Meaningful purpose

CommitmentCollective work Products

Personal Growth

HOW TO MAKE TEAMS REALLY WORKSYSTEMATIC VIEW OF TEAM DEVELOPMENT

1Establish Mission “Mutual Goals and Commitment”

6Evaluation“Results”

5Team controls“Focus”

4Team Dynamics “Maturity”

3Team Rules andGuidelines“Values/Norms”

2Team DesignAnd Leadership“Structure”

EIGHT CHARACTERISTICS OF EFFECTIVELY FUNCTIONING TEAMS(LARSON AND LAFASTO, 1988)

A clear elevating goal

A results –driven structure

Competent members

Unified commitment

A collaborative climate

Standards of excellence

External support and recognition

Principled leadership

MORAL

When people believe in each other, when they believe that each team member will bring superior skills to a task or responsibility, that disagreements or opposing views will be worked out reasonably, that each member’s view will be treated seriously and with respect, that all team members will give their best effort at all times, and that every one will have the team’s overall best interest at heart, then excellence can become a sustainable reality.