Teamwork: a character challenge
Over the years there has been a lot of talk about teamwork, the value of teams, the ups and downs, the pros and cons. Some seem to work and some fail, why? Can your company benefit from a teamwork approach or not?
As people we are ‘complex beings’ It never ceases to amaze me how often we gravitate towards negative ways of thinking about others when we ourselves (if we’re being honest) have so many flaws and flaws. We often find ourselves thinking about the glass half empty instead of the glass half full. Life and business can be a very positive experience.
Having been in the workforce for over 25 years has given me the opportunity to look at trends and, over time, see what works and what doesn’t, and more importantly, why?
From junior clerk to CEO to CEO of companies, in my opinion, there is nothing new under the sun.
Ideas and principles with new hallmarks have been around for centuries. From armies to seminaries, we can watch and learn that humanity has organized itself into team structures, some successful, some unsuccessful.
Take William Wallace, the brave Scotsman who organized teams (bandits) against English oppression.
From good to evil, nations and people have come together and have achieved more than they ever could alone. This is the key, that alone and as individuals we can achieve it, however together we can achieve it exponentially if we pay the price of patience and time.
Good teams take time and patience to build!
Over the years, the practice of teams in business has often come and gone. It is my observation that in the last 10 years there has been a profound change in the fundamental way that teams operate in the sense that those that are successful seem to be made up of people who have developed a high level of trust in others and have have had a heart transformation in the sense that they strive to live authentically, have a high level of self-control and common sense.
By nature we come across as suspicious and distrustful as individuals and this does not lend itself to team building. The good news is that we can change!
What makes a good team?
A good team is one in which team members are allowed a great deal of autonomy. This typically occurs as teams demonstrate their confidence in management by succeeding in small tasks, and progressively more responsibility is subsequently delegated to them.
Have you ever noticed that the clock seems to go faster when you’re working cooperatively with other people? Have you ever noticed the creativity and learning that takes place among team members? Compensating versatility is great for your business.
What makes a team fail?
As the 3 musketeers said ‘one for all and all for one’
When people come together to operate as a team, it is critical that they have hands-on support from management. People need to learn to put differences aside and build trust and believe that they will be rewarded as a team and as individuals. Teams is not just about the team, but also about your employee’s individual contribution to the team, a fact that is overlooked at your peril.
Tips for management
Change is painful for you and your employees.
You may want instant results! This is unlikely to happen and remain sustainable.
You cannot pay lip service to the team’s concepts and demonstrate otherwise by your behavior.
Over time, a team will prove its value to your business if it perseveres with patience and support. You reap what you sow.
Communicate, communicate and communicate!
Be participative with your employees. The sad truth is that some managers and business owners put more effort into their motor vehicle than their employees.
You can’t hide behind indifference and position and expect your team to produce. You must live authentically. This is sometimes called ‘risky living’.
Tips for employees
Being part of a team is a fantastic opportunity to develop and grow personally and professionally.
If you are placed on a team, be realistic and understand that change is painful for you and your other colleagues as well.
Understand that your team will have its positives and negatives – be realistic.
Sometimes you may feel undervalued as a team member or worry that someone else on the team is being rewarded when you think they should be. Understand that management is usually aware of what is going on. Behind the scenes management is making changes and these changes are not always within their time frame. You don’t have the whole picture.
If you feel like you need to say something, do it respectfully. Don’t corner his manager by forcing him to make a decision. Be patient?
Understand that one of the biggest challenges facing businesses today is getting ‘good employees’. His manager is well aware that he needs to retain him.
How to develop a team in your business
Building good, solid relationships anywhere takes time and effort. You must be patient!
Ask yourself the question: can my company benefit from team structures?
Do your homework and understand the cost in time and money it will take to get the desired results your business is looking for. Patience and commitment is the key.
Don’t lose your nerve. Get advice when you need it.
Communicate with employees: Communication is the glue that holds teams and relationships together. It is reliably reported that up to 85% of divorces can be traced back to miscommunication about money! Take your employees with you; explain the benefits to them; Flexible work schedules, team bonuses for agreed results, rewards of greater productivity, job certainty and prestige.
Relationships: Relationships are a critical strategic structure within society and any business. Good relationships can grow your business, while bad relationships can bring it down. You cannot escape this principle.
Structure – Make sure structures are in place for teams to grow.
Time – It takes time to build a good team, but the rewards can be great for the company and the employees.
Having worked in teams and bringing them together, I can recommend a team structure where both the company and the individuals are committed to the team and show it by their behaviour.
Remember, your life and behavior are like a book: people, family and friends read it and see what it is, not what you think it is!
If you show patience and take the time to develop a team environment based on trust, you will be successful. Your business will increase profits, employee turnover will decrease, and your business will be admired.
The choice is yours.
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