| Over the years there has been much ado about | | | | Over time a team will prove its worth to your |
| team work, the value of teams, the ups and | | | | business if your persevere with patience and |
| downs, the pros the cons! Some appear to work | | | | support. You reap what you sow. |
| and others fail, why? Can your business benefit | | | | Communicate, communicate, and communicate! |
| from a team work approach or not? | | | | Be participative with your employees. The sad |
| As people we are 'complex beings' It never | | | | truth is that some managers and business owners |
| ceases to amaze me how we often gravitate to | | | | put more effort into their motor vehicle than their |
| negative ways of thinking about others when we | | | | employees. |
| ourselves (if we are honest) have just as many | | | | You cannot hide behind indifference and position |
| flaws and faults. We often find ourselves thinking | | | | and expect your team to produce. You must live |
| about the glass half empty instead of the glass | | | | authentically. This is sometimes called 'risky living'. |
| half full. Life and business can be a very positive | | | | Tips for Employees |
| experience. | | | | Being part of a team is a fantastic opportunity to |
| Having been in the workforce for over 25 years | | | | develop and grow personally and professionally. |
| have given me the opportunity to observe trends | | | | If you are placed into a team be realistic and |
| and over time see what works and what doesn't, | | | | understand that change is painful for you and |
| and however more importantly why? | | | | your other colleagues as well. |
| From junior clerk to CEO and President of | | | | Understand your team will have its positives and |
| businesses it is my opinion that there is nothing | | | | negatives - be realistic. |
| new under the sun. | | | | Sometimes you may feel undervalued as a team |
| Re-badged ideas and principals have been | | | | member or be concerned that someone else in |
| operating for centuries. From armies to seminaries | | | | the team is being rewarded when you feel you |
| we can observe and learn that humankind has | | | | should be. Understand that management is usually |
| arranged itself in team structures, some | | | | aware of what is happening. Behind the scenes |
| successful, some failures. | | | | management are making changes and these |
| Take William Wallace, the plucky Scotsman who | | | | changes are not always in your timeframe. You |
| organised teams (bandits) against the English | | | | don't have the full picture. |
| oppression. | | | | If you feel you need to say something do so |
| From good to evil nations and people have | | | | respectfully. Don't put your manager in a corner |
| banded together and achieved more than they | | | | forcing them to make a decision. Be patient? |
| could have alone. This is the key, that alone and | | | | Understand that one of the greatest challenges |
| as individuals we can achieve, however together | | | | facing business today is to get 'good employees'. |
| we can exponentially achieve if we will pay the | | | | Your manager is well aware that he/she needs to |
| price of patience and time. | | | | keep you. |
| Good teams take time and patience to build! | | | | How to develop a team in your business |
| Over the years the practice of teams in business | | | | Building good solid relationships anywhere takes |
| has often come and gone. It is my observation | | | | time and effort. You must be patient! |
| that over the last 10 years there has been a | | | | Ask yourself the question - can my business |
| profound shift in the fundamental way teams | | | | benefit from team structures? |
| operate in that those that are successful appear | | | | Do your homework and understand the cost in |
| to be made up of people who have developed a | | | | time and money it will take to get the desired |
| high level of trust in each other and have had a | | | | outcomes your business is looking for. Patience |
| heart transformation in that they strive to live | | | | and commitment is the key. |
| authentically, have a high level of self control and | | | | Do not lose your nerve. Take advice when you |
| common sense. | | | | need it. |
| We appear by nature to be suspicious and | | | | Communicate to employees - communication is |
| untrusting as individuals and this does not lend | | | | the glue that holds teams and relationships |
| itself towards team building. The good news is | | | | together. It is reliably reported that up to 85% of |
| that we can change! | | | | divorce can be traced back to a lack of |
| What makes a good team? | | | | communication about money! Take your |
| A good team is one where team members are | | | | employees with you; explain to them the benefits; |
| allowed a great deal of autonomy. This is usually | | | | flexible working hours, team bonus for agreed |
| given as teams prove their trust to management | | | | outcomes, rewards from higher productivity, job |
| by succeeding in small tasks and are subsequently | | | | certainty, and prestige. |
| and progressively delegated more responsibility. | | | | Relationships - relationships are a critical strategic |
| Have you ever noticed that the clock seems to | | | | structure within society and any business. Good |
| go faster when working cooperatively with other | | | | relationships can grow your business while bad |
| people? Have you ever noticed the creativity and | | | | relationships tear it down. You cannot escape |
| learning that takes place between team | | | | from this principal. |
| members? The off-setting multi-skilling is fantastic | | | | Structure - ensure structures are in place for |
| for your business. | | | | teams to grow. |
| What causes a team to fail? | | | | Time - it takes time to build a good team but the |
| As the 3 musketeers once said 'one for all and all | | | | rewards can be outstanding for the business and |
| for one' | | | | employees. |
| When individuals come together to operate as a | | | | Having worked in teams and put them together I |
| team it is critical that they have the hands-on | | | | can recommend a team structure where both |
| support of management. Individuals need to learn | | | | the business and individuals are committed to the |
| to put aside differences and develop trust and | | | | team and demonstrate this by their behaviour. |
| believe that they will be rewarded as a team and | | | | Remember, your life and conduct are like a book |
| individuals. Teams are not only about the team | | | | - people, family and friends read you and see |
| but about your employee's individual's contribution | | | | what is, not what you think is! |
| to the team - a fact overlooked to your peril. | | | | If you demonstrate patience and put time into |
| Tips for Management | | | | developing a team environment built on trust you |
| Change is painful for you and your employees. | | | | will succeed. Your business will increase its profits, |
| You may want instant results! This is unlikely to | | | | your employee turnover will go down and your |
| occur and remain sustainable. | | | | business will be admired. |
| You cannot give lip-service to team concepts and | | | | The choice is yours. |
| demonstrate by your behaviour the opposite. | | | | |