No one can be a master at all tasks. No one can know everything about everything. These are some reasons why it is so important to build a strong and effective team. Simply putting a group of people together does not constitute a team. Building a good team takes a lot of work and skill. But, in the end, a great team will lead to more successful outcomes.
Why do We Need Teams?
An effective team yields many benefits to both the organization as well as the individual. Benefits to the organization include increased productivity, profit and quality. Morale can improve with teamwork. A team has a better chance of solving problems, making good decisions and being more creative than just a single individual. The individual on the other hand, may experience less stress, share responsibility and success, and feel a sense of accomplishment. Team members can influence each other in positive ways and motivate one another to succeed.
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Rules for Building a Better Team
One of the first steps in developing a better team is admitting that the team can be better. Then, make a conscious decision that you personally want to make the team better. Step back, and critically evaluate and analyze your team’s strengths and weaknesses. Openly and honestly discuss with one another how you can create a better team. Talk about building upon your teams’ strengths and eliminating weaknesses. Each team member must make a solid commitment to being a significant part of the team. There is no room for slackers on a great team. Make a commitment to being genuine in communications and relationships. And, never, ever become stale. Learn, stay sharp and work smart. Your entire team will benefit from your strengths.
Using the Law of Attraction to Build Teams
One of the most effective methods for developing a strong and effective team is by understanding and applying the Law of Attraction. The basic idea behind the Law of Attraction is that most things that come to you in your life are being attracted by your energy – how you think, act and speak. Your energy seeks out similar energy. There are some old sayings that reflect this line of thinking. “Birds of a feather flock together”. “You are the company you keep”. Creating a team of like-minded, similar-energy individuals can be both effective and successful.
Barriers to Team Building
Many things can get in the way of building a great team. One of the most common, is the credibility of the leader. A true leader is a servant to his or her teammates. If the leader is not credible, the whole team suffers. Politics and personalities can also get in the way of building a successful team, so leave the ideologies and egos at the door! Project objectives, goals and priorities must be clearly stated and understood by each team member, otherwise they can become barriers to teamwork. Roles and responsibilities must also be clear. One of the most important features of a team, and one that can truly destroy a team if it is lacking, is trust. Team members must trust one another. Distrust is a great barrier to team building. The other barriers include no sense of unity, meaning or purpose. All great teams maintain a strong sense of unity, and they have both meaning and purpose.
Final Words on Building a Better Team
When all team members are unified and moving in one direction, success can be right around the corner. So much more can be accomplished by a team versus one individual. Since we cannot be masters are all things, we simply need teams. Know the rules for building a better team. Embrace and use the Law of Attraction when putting a team together. Be aware of barriers that can get in the way of teamwork and team building. Then, have fun! Many rewards and benefits will follow a highly successful team.
More About Leadership
- Leadership in Health Care: The Truth and the Bull
- Workplace Bullying in Health Care
- Improving Communication in the Workplace
- Understanding and Using the Law of Attraction
- Reducing Hospital Readmissions
- Workplace Success and the Power of Trust and Genuine Relationships
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Find Leadership CEUs and many other subjects to fulfill your CE requirements.