Team Building Tips

Effective teams deliver results and most would agree that teams as a collective can deliver more than a single individual.  So what six things can teams do to be more effective?

Tip 1: Focus on performance

Teams rarely thrive when they are set up because it seems like the obvious thing to do.  On the other hand when they are focussed on performance challenges they have the potential to achieve extraordinary results.   If you want teams to thrive give them a performance challenge to address.

Tip 2: Create a clear purpose

Effective teams have a clear purpose and know what it is.  It might be to improve customer service, develop new products or tackle process bottlenecks to name just a few.  The clearer the purpose, the greater the impact and effectiveness of the team.

Tip 3:  Get the right skills

One of the characteristics of a team is that they have complimentary skills.  Make sure that you have the right mix of complimentary skills on your teams.

Tip 4:  Support in addressing skill deficiencies

Even if at the outset you think you have the right skills, some shortfalls will inevitably arise.  Make sure that you give the team the time and support to address skills deficiencies that arise.

Tip 5:  Be clear on what a team is

There are probably many groups in organisations who call themselves a team.  Be clear on what a team is.  One very clear definition is that a team is a small number of people with complimentary skills, who are committed to a common purpose, performance goals and approach for which they hold themselves mutually accountable.

Tip 6: Create the conditions for effective teamwork

Some of the distinguishing characteristics of a team include the dependency on each other to deliver results, the fact that they do the bulk of the work themselves rather than delegating and they are mutually accountable.  The organisation's performance and reward structures need to reflect this fact.

Teams will not always be the right way but when they are they have the potential to deliver extraordinary results.  So what would it be worth to you, your team and organisation to be delivering extraordinary results?

Duncan Brodie of Goals and Achievements (G&A) works with individuals, teams and organisations to develop their management and leadership capability.

With 25 years business experience in a range of sectors, he understands first hand the real challenges of managing and leading in the demanding business world.

You can learn more about Duncan, Goals and Achievements services and products and sign up for his free e-course and newsletter at http://www.goalsandachievements.co.uk/