7 Tips to Generate Teamwork


  1. Create a "we" culture. Team building starts at the top. If leaders encourage an environment where the program uses less "I" and more "we" in how they communicate, everyone will feel supported,.

  2. Clearly define roles. When individuals know what their role and responsibilities are, there is far less backbiting and other things that cause chemistry issues. 

  3. Recognize success, regardless of its origin. The worst thing a program can do is to be inconsistent with giving recognition. Good organizations give credit where credit is due regardless of who it is.

  4. Educate, train and role play. Teachable moments happen every day in every organization. If you want your program to operate as a team, take advantage of opportunities to train and educate your people as these situations arise.

  5. Win and lose as a team. Accomplishments or failures should always be shared as a team. When there is a big win, acknowledge hard work, and commitment the entire team put into the win. Conversely, when the organization experiences failure of any nature, the worst situation is to fault any one person for that misstep. This is the quickest way to de-motivate an individual and it usually erodes confidence in an organization when others hear of it being handled this way.

  6. Encourage social get-togethers. One of the best ways for team members is to feel attached to a program is to get to know each other on a more personal level. When individuals are more personally attached to each other, they are more comfortable working together, which helps to build teamwork.

  7. Develop team-building exercises and programs. Information is power. Scavenger hunts, "Survivor" and "Amazing Race"-style competitions, and a variety of other programs designed to bring people together in both a social and fun, competitive environment. Many teams begin their season with these team-building exercises.

It's incredibly important for the leadership of any organization to understand that teamwork doesn't just happen by itself, and it certainly won't take shape overnight. It requires dedication from the organization to lay a foundation of building blocks that cause people to want the same thing. With both sides working toward this common goal, true teamwork can be achieved.

—Adapted from The Coaching and Leadership Journal, April 2013




Comments

Post a Comment