Teamwork is one of the most talked about yet poorly executed concepts in business.
When some leaders say they want to build teamwork, what they really mean is that they want to get everybody to do exactly what they say. Effective teamwork will occur only with effective leadership. First, managers need to start with an effective vision and then convey that vision to their colleagues. For example: “It would make the company tremendously competitive if we bring our defect rate down to 1.2 per million parts we produce”. The people worked as a team because the benefit to the goal was clearly outlined, documented and communicated to them. Then an action plan was established to right the wrongs.
When a team understands the issues in the business, they react far more effectively.
Here is a good example: Jon was a building contractor, specialising in custom homes. He explained to the construction workers that each home was the fulfilment of a dream for the customer. Every material, every hammer stroke and every detail needed to be correct and done well. Jon would tell the workers, “If you’re not proud of what you are doing, stop and correct everything so that you are proud of the end result”. Every colleague was empowered to stop the job or raise issues regarding quality.
Second, every team member needs to contribute. Jon hired a construction crew with different skills and expected each member to pitch in. He encouraged his crew, spurring them on when something went wrong. He looked at the positives on every side. Despite the defeats they faced each day, the team encouraged each other.
Jon would set the example by pitching in where needed. If materials needed to be unloaded quickly, Jon would be the first to help and ask others to join in. When part of a job got behind, he would become an extra pair of hands, helping as needed rather than just sticking to his supervisory position.
Jon would hold a brief crew meeting at the end of the day to ensure everyone understood what tasks lay ahead the next day and to identify any problems. The effective communication helped assure that the team would work together the next day.
Finally, Jon demonstrated kindness and respect towards each employee, esteeming them very highly because of the quality of work they produced. We can discuss difficult issues more effectively when we maintain a kind and respectful demeanour. Keep these examples in mind as you build a great business team.
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