Four Days To Better Team Work (Day 1)

Day One - Know Where You Are

When you are part of a team you have to interact with other people. Often times you do not select who else is part of the group, and that can cause conflict. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses. It is human nature to see your own positive traits as superior to others, and to view your negatives minor. The converse is how you might view others. This can cause the perception of reality to be skewed.

Before you can improve the dynamics of your work situation, everyone on the team needs to objectively look at what the other members of the company contribute. Without everyone's buy-in about the current state of affairs, real progress will be stopped before you can even get started.

This is not easy. People are judgemental and have preconcieved notions. Changing their minds is nearly impossible. I recommend that you do not try to change others opinions, but rather to refocus them.

Create a spreadsheet with each name down the first column. Have every team member annonomously write one or two positive attributes about other teammembers. Then compile each strenght onto a master sheet and share them all with the whole team. Many will be pleasantly surprised to see why others admire them and the rest of team.

Have a staff meeting with and discuss the contributions that each members strengths can mean to the advancement of the whole group. Allow everyone to participate and buy into the group dynamics.

Tune in tomorrow for "day two".

Have A Great Day.

Thom Singer
www.thomsinger.com
thom@thomsinger.com