“Not finance. Not strategy. Not technology.
It is teamwork that remains the ultimate
competitive advantage, both because it is so powerful and so rare.”
The opening lines of Patrick Lencioni’s
insightful book, ‘The Five Dysfunctions of a Team,’
are just as important today as they were when the book launched in 2002.
Dynamics that separate great teams from everyone else:
Team dynamics are the unseen, but not unfelt forces that impact
performance. It's the way team members engage with each other that
undermines team dynamics and blocks great team performance.
Great teams
are remarkably open-minded, ready for change, candid, down-to-earth,
know how to let ideas clash rather than people, and care that the right
ideas win, regardless of whose idea it is. Credit: David Marcum and
Steve Smith
High Performance Teams possess:
Top Talent, Right Fit -- Team members have
the ability to maximize talent.
Ambition -- Team sets bold objectives ---
great, gigantic goals to push toward.
A Dynamic Organizational Culture exists that accelerates progress
--- every worker possesses a "We then Me" attitude. Organizations and
teams think company first, team second, and me third. Great performance
gets delivered even in difficult circumstances or tough market
conditions.
Team-Building Critical Skills
Listening -- often referred to as "active
listening." There's much talking today among people
often reaching the point of cacophony. So many, desperate to be heard,
raising their voice for their particular cause; but often seemingly
unable to listen.
Trust -- the basic glue creating cohesion
Constructive disagreement and vigorous,
passionate debate
Commitment to the mission and agreed-upon
goals and objectives
Accountability
Attention to outcomes
EE can facilitate your group team-building process in a getaway retreat
environment or in a common office area. Engaging presentations are combined
with experiential activities to establish Team Trust and Safety (e.g.
identifying personal gifts). Cooperation and problem-solving may be tested
and strengthened through simulation games and interactive initiatives. As
your group works together and supports each other, the team dynamics:
clearer communication, commitment and issue resolution become the focus and
the team’s interpersonal skills are enhanced. The collective strengths of
the group are mobilized increasing cohesion and the team’s capacities for
problem-solving. Insights and perspectives are recorded. Team stamina gets
rooted. The team is ready to be challenged with next-step decision-making
and/or organizational planning.
