Teams are made up of a bunch of different people, with different personalities, needs and aspirations. Every team is unique. I wish I could give you the cookbook on teamwork, but it just doesn’t exist.
However, there are a few things you can do to significantly increase your success with teams:
Be A Sponge. Learn all you can about teams. Read books (reading this blog is a good start!), listen to CD’s, and interview successful team leaders and members.
Ask For Feedback. Ask your teammates “What’s working well?”
Reinforce the positives. Don’t forget to ask, “What could we (or I) do differently that will increase our success?” Then do it differently.
Don’t Be Insane. Insanity is doing the same thing you’ve always done but expecting different results. If you don’t like something on your team, point the finger back at yourself. YOU do it differently, or create an opportunity for the team to recognize what needs to be done differently. Then as a team, make a plan of action to improve your team’s work.
Talk Teams. If teams are important, are you talking about teams? Are you reinforcing team approaches and teamwork? Are you using team processes where appropriate?
Walk Teams. I just hate it when people talk a good talk, but they can’t practice what they preach. It is vitally important to model great team behaviors and be open to feedback when you aren’t. NO ONE is perfect – especially when it comes to teams. There is always room for improvement.
Be Open. The good news is that you don’t have to know everything there is to know about teams. So be open to learning, feedback, and positive changes.
Question: What have you learned by being open to feedback?
Characteristics of a Good Team
To book Kristin to speak or view her products go to www.ExtraordinaryTeam.com
