DENNIS INSPIRATION: 7. EVERYONE NEEDS TO PULL TOGETHER

Team is the most important aspect in operating a successful business.  Some organizational teams aren’t pulling in the same direction.  One of the most obvious telltale signs is that the team members don’t share information or solve problems together; and they lack internal client perspective.  They only think of themselves and not the impact on other units.

Key managers should solve problems and issues among themselves instead of bringing the problem directly to their CEO.  Many people tend to forget that a team is a group of people working together towards a common goal.

The strength of the team is

Each individual member

The strength of each member is the team

(Phil Jackson)

(Basketball Coach)

Leadership is an important factor to pull the team together.  The challenge is to guide the team to perform.  To do so, team leader should:

·         Be very clear in the selection criteria (both experience and attitude)

·         Set clear team goals

·         Set very clear individual role responsibilities

·         Focus on deliverables

·         Treat everyone equally

·         Praise team members

·         Give positive feedback

A good team leader should:

• Set challenging objectives (stretching but achievable)
• Keep team focus
• Treat each member as an individual ((consistent but fair)
• Address issues or conflicts before they become team breakers
• Communicates openly and frequently
• Integrates new team members quickly

Everybody knows that the best way to get something accomplished quickly and efficiently is by pulling together a strong team.  Five steps to ensure everybody on the team pulls their weight when the leaders have no direct authority over the team:

1.      Establish the ground rules

·         Being on time

·         Have an agenda and sticking to it

·         Frequency of meetings

2.      Usage of action reports

·         Assure accountability

·         Create urgency to complete tasks

3.      Distribution of action repots to all team members

4.      Action reports review during meetings

5.      Update actions report after each meeting

Coming together is a beginning

Staying together is progress

Working together is success

(Henry Ford)