Making Teams Work What Makes Teams Work?
Explain why teams are essential in the workplace.
Identify what makes a group of individuals a team.
Describe what makes teams work. Explain why some teams fail. Lead or facilitate a team. Participate more effectively as a team
member.
Learning Objectives
Can the specified task be performed better by a skilled individual working alone or a Team?
Avoid Too Many People Consider The Task
Determine If A Team Is Needed
Working Environment & Resources Information, meeting place & times, time
management, and administration & technical support
External Support & Expertise Incentives
Organizational Support Examples
Recognition Funding, etc.
Provide Organization Support
Team potency Value Contribution Enthusiasm, Satisfaction, Energy &
Commitment Avoid Groupthink
“Team members’ overwhelming drive to reach consensus…” – Waldeck
Balance the Majority Opinion Give Equality and Voice
Continued…
Agreement Be Able to Articulate Skills & Expertise Objectives Define Clear Direction What are the team goals?
Targets? How?
Define Team Objectives
Roles Identify Responsibilities Leadership
Expectations “Set agendas, assign tasks, and provide team
training, as needed” – Waldeck
Focus Respect
Guidelines Agreement is desirable, but not essential No “Bad” Ideas Leave Personal Agendas Out
Establish Ground Rules
Synergy 1 + 1 = 3 Diverse Talents & Abilities Innovation
Trust Is Essential Communication Fill-in Where Needed Treat Each Other with Dignity &
Respect
Facilitate Collaboration, Disagreement, & Trust
Important! Successful Teams
High Standards Perseverance
Define Values Choose How to Achieve Results
Dishonesty Manipulative Integrity
Process
Define Standards for Performance
Commitment Is Crucial For Team Success Take Credit Dishonestly Quality Quantity
Participation
Push for Commitment
Review What can we do better? What are the team’s goals? How to we measure success?
Standards of Performance Process is Meaningful
Feedback Recognition Timing
Pause and Reflect
Peter Skillman, “Build a Tower, Build a Team.”
Teambuilding Diversity – unique talents and skills
The Marshmallow Challenge
Applicable Lessons Prototyping Matters Diverse Skills are Important Incentives Magnify Results
Keep it Simple!
Why is this important?
Communication Google Groups File Sharing Inclusive
Brainstorming Meeting for Practice
Examples of Good Teamwork
Effective Teams Must Be Built And Maintained!
Clear Goals Effective Communication Define Roles and Responsibilities Establish Trust With Integrity &
Respect Strive For Synergy
Summary