Teamwork is one of the most overused words in business today and has therefore lost its meaning.
If you ask 10 business people to define teamwork, you’ll likely get 10 different definitions.
There’s a difference between a group of people at work, which is often defined as teams, and an actual team. For example, in business, we have “the executive team,” “the marketing team,” “the office team,” “the sales team,” etc.
Are these groups strong examples of teamwork in your plating and finishing business?
So first, let’s define teamwork here, so we know what we’re talking about.: A team is a group of people with complementary skills who are committed to a common mission and are accountable to each other.
Lead by Example
Jim CastigliaAre you, as a leader, a team player? If not, good luck in building a high-performance team!
What is a good team player? A good team player is one who understands how to cooperate. They’re able to listen, communicate clearly, have the best intentions for the success of the team, handle conflict well and don’t avoid it, have high energy, are focused, are willing to commit to desired results, are confident, treat others respectfully, and are competitive.
Clarify Your Mission
Start with the work and whether it requires a team. What are the principle demands of the work area? What are you trying to accomplish? What are the responsibilities, and do they need to be shared? What tasks are critical?
Many types of work are best performed by loners or introverts. Are loners good for a team, or will their productivity fall in a team environment? Be careful of social engineering — putting loners on teams. Focus on finding the right fit for the mission. And keep in mind that teams need to be given scope, i.e., what’s the extent of the team project? Define that clearly.
Get answers to these questions, keeping in mind it’s best that a group addresses these questions rather than one person. Two minds are better than one, and three minds are better than two.
Understand the Key Roles of the Team
I learned to play chess when I was 10 years old, and I’m fascinated by the complexity of the game to this day. Chess pieces have different strengths and complement each other. Even the lowly pawn can checkmate a king. Spend the requisite time considering the primary roles that would lead to a successful team that achieves desired goals.
Understand the strengths you need for a productive, successful team. We all have strengths and weaknesses. Do you know the strengths of your teammates? Do they know your strengths? Do you know their weaknesses and where they’re vulnerable to making mistakes? For example, some teammates may tend to react too quickly, have trouble delegating, get impatient, overload others with too much to do, listen poorly, criticize others ineffectively, make decisions too quickly, or try to over-control situations. These kinds of mistakes can hamper team performance and cost your company dearly.
What Behavior Is and Isn’t Acceptable
Trust among team members is essential. Patrick Lencioni, the author of The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, defines trust as “the confidence among team members that their peers’ intentions are good, and that there is no reason to be protective or careful around the group. In essence, teammates must get comfortable being vulnerable with one another.”
Determine the appropriate behavior of team members and let everyone know what you expect. People who cooperate, show respect, don’t gossip, and disagree without being disagreeable will go a long way toward team success.
Create Ownership through Participation and Empowerment
The word team dates back to the ninth century, when the English word teme, meaning a set of draft beasts, was conjugated with the Dutch word toom, meaning “bridle” or “reigns.”
Team implies leadership; someone must focus (bridle) the team to direct it toward its objective.
Do team members have a voice in how the team is built, its standards of performance, establishing the goals, and determining the rewards of accomplishment? You, as a leader, are the guiding voice but show your people respect by getting their input, advice, feedback, and direction. This shows you trust them and will go a long way to building a strong team.
Take Advantage of Team-Building Activities
Team building (which is another aspect of teamwork) is an organized effort to improve team effectiveness. What can you do to enhance team-building? Can you do off-site retreats? Could you bring in outside experts to teach different concepts and help build a common purpose? Can you create unique recognition and reward programs that are a source of pride and support team membership? Include this important element in your team strategies.
Implement Team-Based Performance Measurement, Feedback, and Rewards
Measure performance! Set goals that are clear. Then celebrate, reward, and recognize the team’s achievement of specified goals.
As the team gets stronger, you can then establish stretch goals that challenge the team and build stronger levels of commitment and teamwork.
Jim Castiglia is the founder of Business Street Fighter Consulting and supports entrepreneurial business owners in their desire to grow and maximize the value of their business. He can be reached by email at JimC@BSF.consulting or by phone at 919.263.1256. Visit www.BSF.consulting
