T.E.A.M

Together Everyone Achieves More

By John R. Nocero, Ph.D., MBA, CCRP, GCP, CC, ACB and Katherine J. Pryor, MPM

If you still complain about “those people” who did not contribute their section of your high school group report, let it go! The frustrations of working with colleagues in group assignments are real and can overshadow the project end-goals plus leave you and your teammates disgruntled and your working relationship damaged. Many perceive that there is a non-negotiable formula to all team assignments: overachievers do the work while everyone reaps the benefits and glory, even those who didn’t do any actual…work. Complaining about this does no good, and we are here to show you another way.

Teamwork has, for some, become a “four-letter word” with negative connotations which are felt will never change. In some cases, it certainly may not but when you see the world differently, what you see changes. We challenge you to see a team assignment as an opportunity rather than a sentence. When you encounter behaviors that seemingly endanger your project and will leave you burning the midnight oil, determine to handle things differently, then you are one of the few that get results.  

There is an opening when you work with others on a project where you are the overachiever. Lead it. Lead with high expectations rather than low ones. Recognize the talents of others – what are they bringing to the table? As Fred Rogers says “each of us has something that no one else has – or ever will have - something that is unique to all time.” As a leader, help them “discover that uniqueness and provide ways of developing its expression,” set positive expectations and create a different team experience (Rogers, 2003).

Positive expectations can help us at the office. As Hyatt (2017) notes, when we communicate positive expectations, people want to do what we expect. If we express confidence in them, they don’t want to let us down. Coming from a position of knowing that most people want to do a good job and feel successful, setting and encouraging high expectations is natural.

You can cultivate positive expectations through seeing people as more than they are. Many people do not believe in themselves as much as you believe in them. They sell themselves short. You need to invest in them – see them as talented with hidden strengths that you can build up. When you find this, spell out your expectations. Express to them what you expect and how they can get there. Listen to their ideas and suggestions. Then get out of their way and let them do it. True, they probably will not do it exactly the same way that you would, but who cares? It got done and is good, perhaps even great. The greatness comes from all team members being engaged and understanding their value. When they do achieve set goals, praise them. People do amazing things with positive reinforcement. They will do BETTER next time because you believe in them.

We usually get what we expect from others, whether we communicate those expectations directly or indirectly. If we want to bring out the best in others, we must intentionally communicate the kind of expectations that will put them in the frame of mind to succeed. Don’t tear people down; build them up. Do this and you will see positive results on your next team assignment.

References:

Hyatt, M. (2017). One Simple Trick to Bring Out the Best in People. Retrieved August 30, 2017 from https://michaelhyatt.com/positive-expectations.html

Rogers, Fred (2003). The World According to Mister Rogers: Important Things to Remember. MJF Books. New York, NY.