Get the Best Out of Your Team
MANY HANDS make light work. It is an oft-repeated proverb that has withstood the test of time. And with good reason too. In today's corporate environment, teamwork plays a crucial role in an organisation's success. According to Katzenbach and Smith, "a team is a small number of people with complementary skills who are committed to a common purpose, and have an approach for which they hold themselves mutually accountable" or as Helen Keller once said, "alone we can do so little, together we can do so much".
Very true! The concepts of teamwork and division of labour have changed the world radically. They form the foundation stones of the industrial revolution and have contributed immensely to the corporate culture that exists at present. The reasons are simple. Specialists from different fields are knitted into a team to tackle problems that one person cannot handle alone.
Team forming is the easy part, but how does one turn a combination of individuals into a winning formula? These pointers should be of help.
Clear objectives
A great team knows where it is heading. While most teams have an idea of the project they have to handle, it is sometimes much easier for people if they are given short-term goals. Each member must have a clearly defined role in the team and be told where he fits into the overall organisation and what his primary functions are.
Communication
This is probably one of the most talked about aspects of teamwork. A group of people who can't share information are heading for disaster. Communication doesn't just mean passing information - it also means trusting the members of your team. When you are working in a team it is best to make sure that all members are aware of what is going on. Often, team leaders feel compelled to veil reality because they feel bad news will affect team morale. It is a notion that can backfire as team members may often assume the worst. Being frank about the situation is the best possible approach when working with teams.
Team spirit
Team spirit is a vital ingredient in any recipe for success. It is the glue that binds the team together. The rules are simple: respect everyone equally and reward efficiency. The development of team spirit is a continuous process. A team high on morale has fewer grievances; lower levels of sickness and stress; less absenteeism and staff turnover; a willingness to assist each other; openness and honesty, and an inclination to adapt to change.
Team dynamics
Each team needs to go through what is known as Tuckman's forming, storming, norming and performing framework. It is essential to know how to handle people and how to maintain managerial hierarchy without ruffling feathers. Watch out for hidden agendas. Listen to what people are saying, how they are saying it and more importantly what they are not saying.
Strengths and diversity
Good teams are interdependent. Each team member will have his/her own area of expertise. Prudence dictates that the team use his/her knowledge and enthusiasm in that field. There will be times when a team member has to perform a task he is not best-equipped to deal with, but that must be the exception rather than the rule. Good team leaders should play to their strengths. They should encourage diversity in working styles. While uniformity and conformity are good, they often lead to stagnation of ideas.
Leaders
Each team needs a leader, someone who commands the respect of all the members, and someone who also enjoys a good relationship with the management. He must lead by example and help foster a healthy team environment where other team members can do their best.
The most important rule a leader should bear in mind is to be equal in the way he treats people. Give them the respect they deserve, the opportunity to prove themselves, the training they need and a pay that is fair.
Shruthi Sagaram
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