© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0506
Session ObjectivesYou will be able to:• Recognize the value of team efforts• Identify the characteristics of an effective
team• Build commitment and cooperation among
team members• Use teams effectively to achieve goals
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0506
Session Outline• Characteristics of effective teams and
members• Creating a productive work atmosphere• Encouraging commitment, cooperation, and
contributions• Effective communication and conflict
resolution•Measuring progress and recognizing
achievement
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0506
Benefits of Teambuilding• Increased efficiency • Heightened motivation • Improved quality of
output • More flexible operations• Enhanced creativity
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0506
Effective Teams• Manageable size • Diverse skills,
knowledge, and experience • Resourceful, competent
leadership • Common goals
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0506
Effective Teams (cont.)
• Cooperation • Solidarity • Open exchange of ideas and information •Mutual respect and support
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0506
Team Members• Understand their own and others’ roles • Agree on goals and the tasks to achieve
them • Trust and cooperate with one another • Continually communicate and coordinate
efforts
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0506
Team Members (cont.)
• Achieve consensus through listening, debating, and compromise• See value in combining all members’ skills,
experiences, and perspectives • Believe that the combined efforts of the team
will produce worthwhile benefits
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0506
Teams and Team Members• Questions?
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0506
Create the Right Atmosphere• Design an informal,
relaxed, and open work environment • Encourage respect for
different points of view • Require professionalism
and courtesy • Promote mutual respect • Be fair and consistent
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0506
Set Clearly Defined Goals• Communicate
expectations at the outset • Explain goals and
objectives • Encourage feedback • Prioritize goals and
determine how each will be achieved• Decide how success will
be measured
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0506
Build Commitment•Write a mission statement• Cultivate a sense of belonging and
acceptance • Set a good example
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0506
Build Commitment (cont.)
• Show concern for team members• Celebrate group success
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Encourage Contributions• Ask for full participation
• Welcome suggestions• Coach and counsel
team members
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0506
Encourage Contributions (cont.)
• Provide challenging assignments • Delegate meaningful tasks
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Promote Cooperation• Emphasize
collaboration, not competition• Promote the sharing of
information, ideas, and expertise • Endorse compromise • Reinforce team-oriented
behavior
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0506
Provide Adequate Support• Keep in close touch with
the group• Provide adequate training• Make sure required
resources are available• Give the team enough
time to complete its mission• Give clear and accurate
instructions
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Provide Adequate Support (cont.)
• Help members coordinate team duties with other responsibilities • Encourage team members to bring problems
to you• Go to bat for your people• Encourage support between one another
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0506
Maintain Communication• Allow adequate time for
group discussion• Encourage constructive
criticism of ideas• Provide feedback and
guidance• Teach debating and
listening skills • Be accessible to your
team
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0506
Resolve Conflicts Promptly• Some conflict is normal• Establish ground rules for dealing with
conflict • Teach conflict resolution techniques • Encourage team members to manage their
own conflicts• Step in when there is no swift resolution
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0506
Teambuilding Techniques• Questions?
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Establish Links•Maintain relationships with other teams,
departments, and functions • Keep your manager informed • Encourage team members to make useful
connections • Focus on the big picture
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Measure Progress• Keep an eye on
schedules • Check workflow• Monitor quality • Observe individual
performance
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Recognize Achievement• Recognize both
individual and group achievement • Bestow a sense of
prestige and status on team membership • Recognize contributions
in appraisals • Reward successful
completion of the mission
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0506
Key Points to Remember• Teams make use of diverse skills,
knowledge, and experience• Effective teams improve efficiency, quality,
and motivation• Your role is to provide leadership, support,
and encouragement