Building Teams for Success

Harmonious and dedicated teams are the key to the success of any joint effort. Just as the football team is made up of eleven players with defined roles and just as each of these players have to perform their role for the team to succeed it should be remembered that every member of any team is important.

Team Building is the first step in attaining what is called good teamwork. And teamwork generates happiness, encouragement, success and enthusiasm.

I will describe below the factors that help build good teams

Have a vision for the team

It is extremely important to let the team know what they will achieve when the mission is accomplished. Make the goal large and challenging, let the team know how much their personal pride will be boosted when they reach the goal and try to project and imagine with the team what it would mean when they get there.

Commitment

It should be clear what commitment means. It does not necessarily mean long hours or productivity. Commitment means ownership of the task ahead. Every member should own their job. This is what team leaders have to instill in their teams. The rest will automatically follow

Some team members may take time to understand what is expected out of them. It doesn’t mean they are not committed. It only means that they are in a state of doubt and need help to clarify those doubts. These doubts can relate to roles, norms of the organisation and so on.

Leaders have a big role to play in eliciting commitment from their team members. They cannot expect accountability and results without providing support. Just as the five fingers of our hand are different from each other, each team member is an entity by himself and has to respected

  

Trust

Trust in each other and in the team leader is necessary and has to be built up. Trust means confidence in team leadership and vision. When trust prevails, team members are more willing to go through a difficult process, supported through ups and downs. When trust prevails the team members are willing to go “the extra mile.” How is trust built up? There is only one way. The leadership has to commit to the vision and have no doubts on the same. This gives a clear message to the team that the intentions are genuine. Commitment is demonstrated by leaders by the following actions:

·         List the unknowns, fears and the risks

·         Assess consequences of worst case scenarios

·         Try to build up fall back plans to face eventualities

When the leaders present their assessment of their task and the scenarios listed above the team is convinced about their genuineness and their intention. This builds up mutual trust. This trust can be further strengthened if the leader demonstrates that he will support the team members in difficult situations and take the responsibility for the team’s mistakes and lapses.

Including Team members

Leaders have to understand that without their team they have no chance of success. Hence they need the team more that the team needs them. Inclusion of team members can be successful if leaders practice the following

·         Not offending their team members by asking questions that offend their ego. By inviting their suggestions like a simple “What do you think?” leaders will gain a lot. If a report is late a question like “Do you need any help to complete the report?” is much better that saying “You are already late. When will you complete it?”

·         Being a good listener and “hearing him out” and then explaining his point of view

  

Communication and exchange of Ideas

There should be a cordial atmosphere in the team and ideas should be freely exchanged. Here again, the role of the team leader is very important. He should realise that just by giving orders he cannot achieve much. He should allow discussions, consensus and give an opportunity for people to state their views. Of course there may be situations when he has to take the final call. In such cases he should explain the rationale behind his decision.

These are some vital factors that influence teamwork. Try them and see what a difference it makes!!

“If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes  care of itself."