The Truth About Team Building
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patrick
We have so often heard about companies and organizations building teams and we might have even tried to build teams among ourselves but do we really have a good idea of what team building is about? Yes, team building refers to that method of enhancing or developing collective or collaborative performance and we are all familiar with this concept. However, many of us still fail at building teams that really work. One of the main reasons is our lack of knowledge or understanding about what building teams really is.
We often fail at building teams because most of the time, we are unsure of how to start making teams. In many cases, building teams becomes ineffective because advanced techniques are used while there is lack of commitment to shared goals or objectives. We also fail at building teams when the techniques we employ are out of sequence, when too many off-site activities do not seem to add any real and lasting value because members of the group - or what would have been a team - take the off-site activities as opportunities for taking a break rather than opportunities for the achievement of the specific goals of the team building activity.
There is a simple yet effective way of building teams that many of us tend to overlook. This simple yet effective process involves establishing ownership of common or shared goals, removing blocks or inhibitors to the achievement of such goals and objectives, introducing enablers to help achieve goals and objectives, and using team building activities and processes in an appropriate sequence to raise performance step-by-step - very much like climbing a ladder taking one rung at a time.
The foundation of building teams should be giving commitment to common or shared goals. Individuals or members should understand that this commitment to common goals differentiates a team from a mere group. Many people mistake their commitment to their own goals as commitment to the team. Therefore, facilitators should see to it that each and every member understands that teams require collaborative effort and commitment, not commitment to individual wants and desires.
Building teams is more than just putting individuals together in a group and giving them a name. Building teams requires a deep understanding of the commitment towards shared efforts and common goals. The whole process of making teams requires specific techniques and strategies needed in establishing shared goals and in developing steps that will bring the team closer to its vision or objectives.
We often fail at building teams because most of the time, we are unsure of how to start making teams. In many cases, building teams becomes ineffective because advanced techniques are used while there is lack of commitment to shared goals or objectives. We also fail at building teams when the techniques we employ are out of sequence, when too many off-site activities do not seem to add any real and lasting value because members of the group - or what would have been a team - take the off-site activities as opportunities for taking a break rather than opportunities for the achievement of the specific goals of the team building activity.
There is a simple yet effective way of building teams that many of us tend to overlook. This simple yet effective process involves establishing ownership of common or shared goals, removing blocks or inhibitors to the achievement of such goals and objectives, introducing enablers to help achieve goals and objectives, and using team building activities and processes in an appropriate sequence to raise performance step-by-step - very much like climbing a ladder taking one rung at a time.
The foundation of building teams should be giving commitment to common or shared goals. Individuals or members should understand that this commitment to common goals differentiates a team from a mere group. Many people mistake their commitment to their own goals as commitment to the team. Therefore, facilitators should see to it that each and every member understands that teams require collaborative effort and commitment, not commitment to individual wants and desires.
Building teams is more than just putting individuals together in a group and giving them a name. Building teams requires a deep understanding of the commitment towards shared efforts and common goals. The whole process of making teams requires specific techniques and strategies needed in establishing shared goals and in developing steps that will bring the team closer to its vision or objectives.
About the Author:
CMOE has been helping companies with employee coaching and team building since 1978. Through new strategic thinking and other innovative business techniques CMOE has established themselves a leader in the business world. Visit www.cmoe.com for more information.
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