Teamwork Empowers Leaders

Michael Jordan is a super star basketball player but he is one of the team. As incredible an athlete as he is, he can not play for the entire team. John Elway has an excellent passing arm; however, unless he has someone to catch the pass, the play will not progress. Even the best quarterback can not play every position on the team simultaneously.

Team building means a diverse group of individuals with different talents and interests coming together for the good of the entire group. The entire team unites in a common goal for the benefit of all. No one super star stands out to the exclusion of the whole.

Amazon called the management team into the office at the beginning of the recession and informed them, “There is a big recession coming. Let’s miss it.” The mastermind session began immediately. Net result was that while everyone else was whining about a reduction in sales, Amazon’s profits were up. Team work saved the bottom line.

Mastermind groups have collaborated since at least the early days of Napoleon Hill’s “Think and Grow Rich.” Even though the terminology and format of the Greek forum was different, mastermind groups have existed in one form or other for centuries. Teamwork is not a new concept. A brainstorming group is a form of team each contributing ideas and efforts for the benefit of all the members.

Mastermind groups, brainstorm groups and teams all have leaders. An immature leader will say, “I’m going to the top, you can follow me.” A more mature leader say, “I will empower you to be the best you choose to be and we will all go to the top together.”

Forming a winning team consists of several basic elements.

1. Select team members with different skills, knowledge, and experience. Bringing together different personalities and talents means more variety in the points of view and more creative stimulation. A group of all analytical detail oriented engineers would benefit from a free spirited creative team member. A group of all ‘big picture’ thinkers would establish the dream but not have anyone to carry out any of the implementation details. Not only select a variety of personalities and talents, but assign the correct responsibility to the ideal candidate. An accountant would be excellent for Treasurer of the group but probably not ideal for the public relations ‘center stage’ spokesman.

2. Constant follow up checks insure that the team stays on track. Comparing actual results with goals pin points the timeline on the path to the goals. Even a rocket ship on the way to the moon needs to make course corrections frequently.

3. Establishing parameters clarifies rules, procedures and boundaries. Fewer problems will occur when each member knows the guidelines and responsibilities from the beginning. Problems always occur; however, they can be minimized. Knowing from the start who has the authority to make the final decision, eliminates unnecessary debate.

4. Develop a reasonable plan for implementation. Goals must be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and timely. Goals must be SMART if the achievement plan has any success potential. Be specific in the steps necessary to accomplish the plan.

5. Assign specific roles and responsibilities. Expect each team member to handle their role. Provide extensive training to insure that each team member has the pertinent facts to be able properly accomplish their role.

6. Establish controls. How will the progress be monitored to determine if the goals are being achieved in the desired timeline?

7. Build team trust. Expect to be able to rely on each other. Be willing to lend a hand to each other. Always be respectful of each other’s time and ideas. All members of the team will not agree 100% with every decision. Once a firm decision is made, accept it and move forward. Communicate openly and honestly but courteously with each other.

Responsibility of the team leader changes as the team members become more accomplished at handling each of their tasks. Be versatile with releasing control once it is no longer needed on each small task.

Teamwork is essential to the effective management of any organization. Select a diverse group with a common goal. Assign the appropriate role to the best candidate for each duty. Define the responsibilities and parameters. Train the team members; design a specific workable plan and use appropriate follow up checks. Maintain open communication and mutual respect.

This provides a general outline; however, for individualized specific teamwork plans, join me at http://www.elaine4success.com/.

3 Keys To Success

Surveys of major corporative executives and business icons revealed three major keys to business success.

Ever known anyone who was absolutely brilliant but spoke in technical terms so far above most of the audience that they might as well have been speaking Greek? Speaking in insider acronyms or industry specific jargon is only effective with a very select audience. Everyone else mentally checks out within the first five minutes. The easy assumption seems to be that because the speaker knows the terminology, everyone should.

Bill Gates of Microsoft and Steve Jobs of Apple are both incredibly bright men and very technology savvy; however, their presentation style varies radically. One of the things Toastmasters teaches and every successful presenter knows is the importance of connecting with your audience. Effective communication is not optional. You may have the best book, the best web site, the best scientific proof; however, if you can not communicate it to audience in a language they understand and relate to, you have nothing more than a pretty document. Information only becomes valuable when it reaches out beyond the originator. Society receives no benefit from a closet report.

The first key to success is valuable information communicated effectively.

Problems exist everywhere. Personal problems, business problems, and social problems permeate our lives. Having the ability to solve problems is a tremendous asset. Solving problems in a cost effective manner is an even bigger asset. Add on solving problems while increasing morale and reducing employee turnover and you qualify for the executive washroom benefits package. Major executives must possess the ability to solve problems. The more “buy in” they receive from employees at all levels coupled with increases to the bottom line, the higher the bonus check.

If the company profits are to soar, you not only need the best pilot at the controls but also the right people in the right seats on the plane. Planes only fly effectively with the best people in the control tower and the right people on the ground crew. No major corporation ever soars effectively without a team effort. Problems will occur. It may be a lightening storm such as the economy tanking or ice on the wings such as a change in consumer demand for the products or an earthquake destroying the landing strip such as a union strike. Problems occur. The more effectively and swiftly these problems are solved, the more valuable the problem solver.

The second key to success is swiftly and effectively solving problems.

Ever see an employee evaluation which stated “does not work and play well with others.” Actually that phrase may have appeared on a kindergarten report card. Some never managed to acquire that attribute. In the problem solving section we described the importance of team work. Team work is not only the responsibility of the team leader, but also every member of the team. A wonderful team can easily come apart at the seams with one itchy, nit picky red ant. Working and playing well with others means everyone, just a few or when convenient. That attribute is extremely important for the team leader. The old expression about herding cats or organizing butterflies to fly in formation has direct impact on the team leader. A disorganized, dictatorial or micro manager team leader will not inspire his group to cooperate and play well together. Michael Jordan is a world acclaimed basketball player but Michael alone would not make an effective team. He frequently passed the ball to other players; he knew how to work and play well with others.

The third key to success is working and playing well with others.

Master the art and skill of effective communication, problem solving and team work and you will absolutely prosper in business and in life.

For specific tips and techniques for effective communication, problem solving and team coordination, join me at www.Elaine4Success.com.