7 Myths about Teambuilding (with bonus track about hiring)

... 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)