Career Success Stems from Great Team Skills
 As we move into summer and some of our favorite American past times take root I’d like you to look at lessons learned from the playing fields.
Whether your perspective is on leading the team or playing on the team, team mastery is a win-win.
These key elements don't just pop up by themselves when you put a bunch of people together and say, "You're a team.
Go to it."
However, the easygoing, cooperative environment that many businesses enjoy is the perfect setting for cultivating successful teams.
Trap: Some employers lose the benefits of this easygoing environment by neglecting the delicate task of team design. They throw employees together without giving them a clear understanding of the group's purpose -- or how to achieve it.
You can design a team for success without losing the spontaneity and camaraderie of the small-business setting. Here's how:
- Have a goal.
Before assigning a group of people to work together as a team, decide what exactly it is you want them to accomplish.
- Then, create what I call a Goal Statement that spells out the specific result the team is expected to accomplish and by what date the goal is to be achieved.
- Example: One goal may be to attract 20 new customers by Thanksgiving... or to design an improved inventory system by fourth quarter.
- Select 10 or fewer employees to be on the team.
A team with more than 10 members becomes unmanageable.
- Give considerable thought to the team goal, and choose people with the right set of skills to accomplish it... and the right personalities to get along well.
- Example: A team with a goal of designing a growth strategy for the coming six months should include representatives from a variety of functions and levels -- including an accountant... a manager... a stockperson... and the receptionist, since he/she knows your customers.
- As for personalities, you should put together a detail-oriented person... a big-picture person... a fast-paced person... and a moderately-paced one.
- Write it down. Before the team's first meeting, put together a "charter" that restates the team's goal and offers guidelines for functioning and decision making. The charter can be reviewed, debated and revised during the team's first meeting.
- Figure out the logistics.
When, where, how often and for how long will the team meet? How will team members' day-to-day work get done while they're involved with the team? How will decisions be made -- by consensus, command, majority vote, etc.?
- Example: Kara, a project team leader, was frustrated about her team's lack of productivity. But when she changed the rules for meetings -- so they had a written agenda... ran on time... and ensured that everyone had a say -- the spirit and progress of the team quickly improved.
- Supply appropriate resources.
What resources, such as money, training, specialists, support, equipment, supplies, etc., are needed by -- and will be provided to -- the team?
- Establish checkpoints.
At what intervals do you expect the team to check in and alert you to its progress -- and to seek your help in getting around stumbling blocks it encounters?
- Create feedback systems.
How will team members communicate with each other? Will they take turns voicing ideas, thoughts and concerns? How will they communicate with you?
Capitalize on Individual Strengths for Total Team Performance
The Team Dimensions Profile helps teams in your organization:
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identify individual strengths and approaches to
teamwork |
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clarify team members' roles |
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reinforce the contributions of every team member |
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reduce project cycle time and increase productivity |
Successful team members don't do the same thing at the same time. They do the right thing at the right time. And while team members work together toward a common goal, individuals still must play their individual roles in the process. As organizations rely more and more on teams to innovate, problem solve, produce, and compete at the speed of change, clearly understanding and capitalizing on individual approaches to group processes is the bottom line on creating high performance teams.
Price: $30.00
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The Team Dimensions Profile®
helps individuals work from their strengths by
identifying their most natural team role, while giving
them added appreciation for the contributions of
others.
Special Bonus:
Team Dimensions Profile®
PLUS
30-minute consultation to review
your profile - $130
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About JAS Coaching
JAS Coaching & Training (JASCAT) is a global coaching firm dedicated to helping businesses maintain an expanded capacity for organizational learning, development, and performance to achieve profitable and sustainable business. We help companies achieve:
Inspired Leadership that creates an environment of trust and empowerment where people are committed to greater achievement
Motivated, Skilled, and Aligned Workforce where your people’s collaborative energy and brilliance is channeled to attain breakthrough results.
High-Performance Organizational Structures and Systems that enable people to produce more results with less effort and stress. We provide high-value leadership development and performance improvement services including:
Executive Coaching
Leadership Development
High-Performance Team Development
Performance Assessments
Strategic Planning
Sales Training
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