Purposeful Team Building and Management
The success of every company is wholly dependent on teams that run specific departments of the organisation. Managers are responsible for organisation of teams and ensuring that they are successful in achieving the goals that are set for them. For every organisation, company or team, proper management is definitive of success. However formidable building blocks of a team are, it cannot prosper in the absence of a capable manager that can turn it into a high performing unit. Despite the individual greatness of every member in the team, it takes exemplary management and team building to convert individual greatness into team success.
Building a great team takes three important steps:
The team needs to have a clear and concise perception of what is expected of them. This is the first step in building a great team. Team members are selected on this basis considering that individuals from one department might not be suited for another. It is the responsibility of the manager to direct the team in achieving its goals. In the event that the manager is not responsible for the objectives, then he/she should seek clarification with objective owner regarding the desired outcome. At this point the teams span of existence (whether permanent or temporary) should determine whether the criterion of selection should be based on collective skills or team chemistry.
2. Selection of team members
3. Maintaining the performance of the team
1. Defining the teams purpose
The team needs to have a clear and concise perception of what is expected of them. This is the first step in building a great team. Team members are selected on this basis considering that individuals from one department might not be suited for another. It is the responsibility of the manager to direct the team in achieving its goals. In the event that the manager is not responsible for the objectives, then he/she should seek clarification with objective owner regarding the desired outcome. At this point the teams span of existence (whether permanent or temporary) should determine whether the criterion of selection should be based on collective skills or team chemistry.
2. Selection of team members
This is the most important decision in team building and it even surpasses the business strategy. The criterion of team selection is based on personal chemistry and skills. Since teams are built to work together, team chemistry is just as important as personal skill in working together to achieve their objectives. Teams that are built to last for long duration of time require chemistry as a formidable component. On the other hand teams built to last shorter duration can prioritise personal skill over chemistry since the latter can be worked through.
Despite the longer time that may be invested in matching the right candidates for the right duties, the potential returns are immense. Not only does this extra effort improve the team chemistry allowing transitions and adjustment to new attitudes it also improves the customer experience.
Despite the longer time that may be invested in matching the right candidates for the right duties, the potential returns are immense. Not only does this extra effort improve the team chemistry allowing transitions and adjustment to new attitudes it also improves the customer experience.
3. Maintaining the performance of the team
Once the team has been properly built, the next important step is maintaining it to ensure performance is upheld. The most important step in performance maintenance is ensuring the team members are glued to their mission. This involves steering them clear of all distractions from outside the team. Solving internal wrangles is important in maintaining the team's cohesion and commitment to their objectives. Performing teams need to be rewarded with incentives to keep their morale high. Non-performers in the team also need to be weeded out so as to improve team performance. Team based performance rating can come handy in doing this.
Great management is measured by the success of the teams and results achieved. Team building is paramount in the management of any organisation and is key in achieving it objectives. It is for this reason that it is given a lot of weight as part of any organisational activity.
Great management is measured by the success of the teams and results achieved. Team building is paramount in the management of any organisation and is key in achieving it objectives. It is for this reason that it is given a lot of weight as part of any organisational activity.
Image source: Corporate Challenge NZ
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