Teamwork. Team concept. Over the past few decades, these words have become buzz words for business and industry. While many organizations have enjoyed success in implementing a team environment, others have found it difficult to move beyond theory to practical application of teamwork.
What makes the difference? Even companies, managers, and employees whose attitudes are favorable for the success of a team environment are sometimes at a loss to know what specific behaviors support teamwork. In general, we do know what successful teams, whether in sports or in business and industry, define the vision and mission of the team and its members, and they excel at setting goals and implementing a plan of action. All team members have the responsibility to motivate themselves, and they share the responsibility of creating a climate conducive for motivation for other team members.
The events over the past couple of years have left people troubled about tomorrow. The world is going through massive, constant change. Technology and global competition are resulting in different organizational models, restructured businesses, and new ways of doing things. Most companies are getting leaner and flatter. Businesses are redistributing power and information, giving employees at all levels more influence on results than ever before. It is exactly in this environment that high-performing, self-managing teams will not only excel, but are essential to success.
A team is defined as a small group of skilled people who work together toward a common goal or purpose. The team’s primary responsibility is to focus on accomplishing the goal that brought the team together — and focused on high performance. To reach that goal as quickly as possible, use the following five keys; they are highly effective, time-tested, and proven to work, for both individuals and teams.
Crystallize your Thinking
Just as you have a destination in mind when you begin a trip, you need a “destination” or goal in mind when you are hired to do a job or assigned to a team. Determine what goal your organization wants your team to achieve. Only when you know what the goal or destination is can you apply all your best thinking and your best efforts to reach that goal. Nothing is more discouraging to an employee than to have worked hard for days or weeks on a certain project only to find out that he or she did not have a clear understanding of what was expected. Once you have a clear understanding of what the goal of the team is, then you can dedicate yourself to its attainment with unswerving singleness of purpose. Just as you probably do on a road trip, you need to check your map occasionally to make sure you are traveling the right route. Ask your team leader and check any written instructions that were given to you to make sure your thinking is crystallized and you are focusing on the goal. When all team members know what the goal is and clearly understands what role they play in the overall success of the team, then you are on the road to success. Most problems that teams encounter can be traced to a lack of crystallized thinking.
Look for Part 2 on Monday 7/14/2014
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