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Building Better Teams

Written by Paul Vanchiere, MBA | Aug 15, 2024 8:47:20 PM

Building Better Teams

The "Building Better Teams" guide offers comprehensive strategies for team development, covering the stages from forming to adjourning. It provides insights into different types of teams, tips for building trust, and essential practices for effective team communication and collaboration.

The document provides strategies and insights for building effective teams, focusing on team development stages, types of teams, building trust, and establishing a strong team dynamic.

Stages of Team Development:

  1. Forming:

    • Members are anxious, unclear on goals, and need to get to know each other.
    • Leaders should plan introductions, use icebreakers, and establish ground rules.
  2. Storming:

    • Conflict arises as members bring different ideas. Some may become impatient or disengaged.
    • Leaders should model appropriate behaviors, manage conflicts, and enforce ground rules.
  3. Norming:

    • Members recognize similarities, become more social, and realize they are a team.
    • Leaders should encourage positive expression of differences and help maintain focus on objectives.
  4. Performing:

    • Members understand their roles, are self-motivated, and seek more input in processes.
    • Leaders should ensure ideas are considered and avoid unnecessary intervention.
  5. Adjourning:

    • Members wind down and set goals for future work.
    • Leaders should celebrate contributions and encourage continued productivity.

Types of Teams:

  • Natural Work Groups: Regularly work together under a supervisor.
  • Business Teams: Cross-functional teams focused on specific products/services.
  • Management Teams: Group of managers reporting to a senior manager.
  • Virtual and Remote Teams: Connect mostly via digital means, rarely meet in person.
  • Self-Managed Teams: No single leader, members share authority and responsibility.
  • Product/Service Design Teams: Temporary teams for specific projects or tasks, also known as task forces or committees.

Building Trust:

  • Essentials: Honesty, openness, consistency, and treating people with dignity and fairness.
  • Tips:
    • Do what you say you will do.
    • Treat everyone fairly.
    • Be consistent.
    • Support employees.
    • Build relationships by learning about team members.
    • Encourage and model diversity.
    • Engage in social activities.
    • Create a "we" atmosphere.

Sample Team Contract:

  • Code of Conduct:

    • Be proactive and positive.
    • Keep team members informed.
    • Focus on team goals.
    • Be respectful, fair, and honest.
    • Encourage opinions and discussions.
    • Embrace conflict and change positively.
    • Be open to new ideas.
    • Celebrate achievements.
  • Ground Rules:

    • Meetings start and end on time.
    • Have and stick to an agenda.
    • Prepare for meetings.
    • Set conduct expectations for electronic devices.

Degrees of Support:

  • Fully Agree: Complete support.
  • Mostly Agree: Support with minor reservations.
  • Partly Agree: Needs more work.
  • Do Not Agree: Won't stop progress.
  • Completely Disagree: Do not support.

The TORI Model: Developed by Jack and Lorraine Gibb, the model includes:

  • Trust: Interpersonal confidence.
  • Openness: Free flow of information.
  • Realization: Self-determination.
  • Interdependence: Shared responsibility and co-leadership.

Tips for Becoming a Better Team Player:

  • Engage team members with icebreakers.
  • Regularly check in with team members.
  • Use degrees of support for discussions.
  • Benchmark and share results.

Tips for Becoming a Better Listener:

  • Decide to listen actively.
  • Avoid interrupting.
  • Maintain eye contact.
  • Take notes.
  • Ask questions.
  • Demonstrate good listening skills, which can be infectious.

Conclusion: Effective team building involves understanding team dynamics, fostering trust and open communication, and leading with clear guidelines and support. By following these principles, leaders can create cohesive and high-performing teams.


 

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