Eclectic Change

Rethinking Teams

I am beginning to think that the whole concept of teams is passé.  Don't get me wrong.  I think that my work with team building will be around for the rest of my career and will remain a major source of my income.  However, that said, as I focus more on collaboration I am beginning to wonder if the way we look at working groups is archaic for the new world of work. What brought me to this conclusion?  It was a number of factors.  As I was writing this series on the basic principles for high p...

What does it mean to be a “good” team member?

While we often discuss the actions and behaviours that are required to be a member of a team we often look at only one side of  the accountability issue. Not only should we be accountable to other team members, it is everyone's responsibility to hold each other accountable for what they say they will do and what they actually do.  It is NOT just the responsibility of the leader do to this. Responsibilities of Team Members: Be accountable for actions Participate appropriately and fairly Su...

Team Process Skills – Tell me true

Team process skills are probably the one team item that is "discussed" and not pursued the most.  There are a few reasons for this: Image by Robert Higgins via Flickr We think that since we communicate all the time, we will naturally do it properly. There is an assumption that they are "dealt" with in creating the guiding principles. Some of the emotional issues you may anticipate but you really can't relate until it happens. In truth, these are the most challenging types of be...

Team Climate – Are you running hot or cold?

First let's be clear that we are talking about a team climate not culture. ?? We do discuss values when the team is establishing their Team Charter, but in realistic terms, we are identifying the behaviors under which the team chooses to operate.  A long standing, homogenized and non virtual team may have its own mini culture but given the virtual nature and speed of team formation, I think that focusing on the team climate is much better than navel gazing about team culture.  The key he...

Team Task Skills: Learning how to be the best at your game

Teams need specific skills as well as process skills.  (The latter will be discuss in a future post.) They need to be able to: set the priorities within their authority plan and manage projects develop problem solving tools determine appropriate ways to make decisions risk assessment and contingency planning track and measure results Probably the best resources that I have found for teams tools is: The Memory Jogger (Guide of Tools for Continuous Improvement and Effect...

Team Commitment – Creating trust and confidence amongst team members

In my previous post, I discussed the importance of a Team Charter. Through the development of a Team Charter, members have the opportunity and responsibility to craft a shared purpose and vision for themselves  It doesn't have to be grandiose but something that engages them so each person feels a part of the whole.  This is the beginning of the possibility of commitment to the team.  But something even more powerful has to be present.  Team members will only be committed to the team as much as t...

Who Needs a Team Charter? (Clarity of Purpose)

Perhaps it seems a little time consuming or old fashion but I still find it useful for groups to develop a Team Charter.  Before explaining why, let's begin by defining the term. A Team Charter has the following components: a written document defines the mission or purpose of the team states the performance goals and the end products may include a brief background as to why the team was formed most teams include the ground rules once they have been agreed to by the members may also...

Creating Healthy and Productive Teams

In my previous post, I explained that you need to be a real team not just a group of people in order to develop high performing teams.  Next, I want to list the 5 pieces of the puzzle.  Subsequent posts will go into each one in greater depth . . . well a little more depth as these post are meant to give a high level overview about teams an working with teams. The five key elements to achieve high performing teams: Clarity of Purpose (e.g. team charter) Commitment (e.g. trust) Team...

Team Building? You don’t even have a group!

This is the first in a short series that looks at what are the key components that make up a fit and healthy team.  I work with a lot of teams and I often ask my clients if they are sure that they have a "real" team.  Unfortunately, it is much harder to great any team unless certain conditions exist.  Just having people report to the same person is not one of the conditions. What is a team? A team is a high performing on-going or temporary task group whose members are actively interdependent...

What The Wii Can Teach Us About Employee Engagement

Do great minds think alike?  I had started a draft of this post two days ago and filmed some of the video clips that I wanted to include when I read Tanveer Naseer's recent blog post: What A Soda Vending Machine Can Teach Us About Employee Engagement I have decided to "borrow" the same title format in both homage and it is catchier than the one I was originally using. Santa brought the family a Wii for Christmas No can say that the Wii doesn't draw you in - a little like gambling.  A f...