Transform a group into a team!

I get calls saying, “We need team building next week.” Team building starts with an event and continues with a process. Here are some tips to work the process:

Have People Work Together to Tackle an Issue

This doesn’t have to be a “big” thing. Issues pop up. The more people work together, the more likely they will function as a team.

Celebrate the Outcomes

Congratulate the team on a job well done. Bring the team back to reflect on how it felt to work closely together. Expect some resistance. People may say they can’t imagine working this way and getting their own work done. Emphasize the excitement of a shared model, where anyone on the team initiates things, rather than waiting to be told what to do. As for the perception that teamwork will lead to a heavier workload, the opposite is true. Without teamwork there is friction, duplication, and wasted time.

Give the Process Time

People who have spent their lives simply following orders are task rather than process oriented. They may regard the process as too touchy-feely. Help employees understand that teamwork isn’t about being nice; it’s about smart business. A team atmosphere calls on everyone—not just the leader—to generate ideas, initiate projects and produce top-notch work.