Developing Excellent Teams
No matter who we are or where we work – we all play on a team. Teams are an important and unavoidable part of life.
I recently had the honor of being asked to serve on the board of the New England Speakers Association. I was honored to be asked and accepted immediately. I had been waiting for this opportunity for a long time and. And I knew it was going to be a great team to work with.
A month ago we had our planning retreat in Cape Cod. And I was right – this is a great team to work with. Not only did we have lots of fun – we came together as a team. We had never worked together before. We had all different types of personalities and backgrounds and yet we meshed as a team and accomplished many things in a day. And I learned some new things about being a part of a team that day.
Have No Agenda
When we arrived at the retreat center in the morning we were told there would be no agenda. I did not agree with this concept and was not excited about spending a whole day without an agenda. How would we be able to accomplish anything? My personality type likes to know what is happening and when. I want to have goals, objectives and a plan for the day. Without a plan how would we know what to do?
I guess I should have trusted the facilitator knew what he was doing, but I was skeptical. And he proved me wrong. By not having an agenda our group was able to be creative and think about what was possible for the upcoming year. We were not limited by a schedule. We took the time we needed for each segment and we accomplished more than I ever thought possible. It was great! I highly recommend trying to have a team meeting without a formal agenda. Instead you may want to suggest a theme or a topic for the meeting and then let the group go to work solving the problem or accomplishing a task.
Have Fun
Before lunch we went out and played sand volleyball. I was not too excited about this either. It was hot and I didn't want to get all sweaty and dirty. But it turned out to be blast. We laughed as we fell down trying to get the ball, made mistakes and cheered one another on. When it was time to go back in we were all relaxed and the energy in the group was different. During lunch we were laughing, joking and at ease with one another. Some may think taking the time for games or physical activities is not productive. I disagree. I watched as the group connected and then got back to work with new energy and determination.
Be Open To New Ideas
Our president was determined to let us come up with new ideas and he gave us the space to think outside the box. It was great to watch team members share ideas or thoughts for the upcoming year. We had the green light – there were no right or wrong ideas and nothing was turned down initially. We just kept throwing out ideas and letting them sit. Then at the end of the day we brought all the ideas together and laid them out. Our facilitator then asked us to pick one or two ideas we wanted to be responsible for and through this process our roles for the year were formed.
We walked away from the reteat with a plan of action for the new year. A plan that was new and exciting. And I walked away with new skills for developing excellent teams.
10 Keys to Building Awesome Teams
Clarify purpose. Every team needs a purpose. With a clear purpose a team is able to move forward and create results.
Create opportunities. Each team member must be given an opportunity for participation and growth.
Collaborate. To collaborate means to work jointly for the common good of the team. Collaboration involves cooperation and compromise.
Connect. Successful teams make every effort to be connected and to grow as a team. Successful teams connect with one another and build relationships.
Commit. Each member must individually commit to the team and its success. Teams can not grow without committed members.
Communicate. Be willing to communicate honestly, openly and respectfully. Team communication is essential to achieving common goals.
Coach. Be willing to coach and be coached. A team grows when all members learn from one another.
Conflict management. Managing conflict is not always easy but it must be done in order fro teams to thrive. Take time as a team and discuss how to deal with conflict.
Core competencies. If each member of the team brings their own core competencies to the group and is willing to share them for the good of the group – the group will succeed.
Change culture. If there is a negative culture within your group – the time is now to change it. Groups need a positive culture in which to grow and be productive.
Words to use this month:
D – Develop
E – Enlist help
V – Value others
E – Encourage
L – Lead
O – Openness
P – Play
Questions to Ponder:How can I develop excellence in the teams I am a part of? What do I need to do to be a better team player?
Quotes to Repeat:
”Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.” Henry Ford
”Michael, if you can’t pass, you can’t play.” Coach Dean Smith, to Michael Jordan in his freshman year at UNC
“The basic building block of good teambuilding is for a leader to promote the feeling that every human being is unique and adds value.” Unknown
“When a team outgrows individual performance and learns team confidence, excellence becomes a reality.” Joe Paterno
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