Teamwork Gems Create Startling Results
Posted in Hot Topics and New Bits, Teamwork, Thriving in Change, leadership on Aug 18th, 2009
By: Baliyou
Every minute of teamwork in the 21st century requires adapting to each other, to changing conditions, and sometimes to changing goals. The traditional definition of teamwork, people sharing and working together toward a common goal, sounds logical, seems clear — and doesn’t work. Most people working in this model, participate from their own perspective instead of building and exercising their change-ability skills for optimal teamwork.
When opportunities arise leaders often bring in outsiders with special skills or pass on the business opportunity because the existing team doesn’t quickly adapt.
Now picture an organization using this definition of teamwork: Growth and change within team members to achieve a common success. It’s applicable to this century, is very clear — and it works.
This definition of teamwork creates startling results when you use it with these precious gems.
BY:Skistz
RUBY. Passion for learning. When you create a learning (not training) culture, the team exercises its change muscles. Learning is change and one that most people welcome since it enhances their careers and no one can fail.
The startling result is a stream of new contributions because all are involved in continuous improvement.
Creativity increases and critical thinking improves. Athletic teams regularly exercise for improved performance and theater troupes explore new ideas for this same reason. Unfortunately teams focused on production often get locked in daily routines. Create startling new results with a learning culture.
Action Item: Pick one topic related to business, teamwork, service, sales, or technology. Have each team member Google/Bing on the topic and collate those results online. At a virtual team meeting, take 15 minutes for team members to identify aloud what info they can use and how. Make this a weekly event and watch the teams create, collaborate, and flex to changing needs.
By: ThisIsBossi
EMERALD. Leader with a confident ego. If you have a learning culture, the leader must feel confident even with constructive dissenters and creative strategic thinkers on the team. This confident leader is the emerald gem of teamwork reminding us all of The Wizard of Oz. Toward the end of the movie the curtain is drawn back to reveal there is no all-powerful wizard. He is instead a wise caring person. His insights flow from there.
By: ThisIsBossi
SAPPHIRE. Human bonding on diverse and distributed teams. The evil of isolation due to distance or differences undermines the full potential of teams. Picture world-wide technology rollout teams who have never met, come from different cultures, and rotate team members. If no bonding is addressed, the teams will fall short of full success. Use video-based virtual meetings to introduce team members. Build understanding on topics of personality type, generational differences, cultural norms, learning style, and pet peeves!
By: TambakoTheJaguar
DIAMOND. The I’s in Team. There are several I’s in teamwork – individual initiative and identity committed to the team. Respect and acknowledge individual talents contributed to the whole. It inspires greater contributions and willingness to share and teach. Some organizations call this the essential piece culture where each person knows how s/he contributes to the whole success.
Kate Nasser, The People-Skills Coach, delivers team building workshops, distance bonding, and innovative solutions for startling team results.
