by Silvia Zsoldos, Ph.D. (Named TeamWizard by peers)
A group of people does not form a Team until they work together. Then, the results depend on the purpose of the combination and their ability to interact and communicate.
There are different types of teams. The number of their members may vary substantially from 2 to more than 20. Basically, however, you deal with one of the following:
- Exact – Each member follows precisely a set of directives, with no deviation from the rules. An example might be welding the wings of an airplane where a slight change could lead to equipment failure and subsequent loss of life.
- Intact – Members of a department or program, where each has his own task that leads to the outcome.
- Process – Selected members focus on a specified task with a desired outcome, dispersing after completing the work.
- Innovative – Most often found as parts of research & development areas.
- Temporary – Usually a community that sees a need and steps in to help. Range from large undertakings, like Hurricane Katrina to neighborhood barn risings.
- Spontaneous – Members may already know each other. All share the desire to accomplish something unusual.
When all Team members were in constant contact with each other, the above list was at least reasonably understandable. Today’s virtual teams present even more challenges. Not only may members be in different time zones, but on different continents! It helps to share a common language, for they may even need an interpreter to communicate!
Each type of Team has a different focus and needs. Keeping it cohesive is a challenge. Developing a high-performance team is even more demanding because the Leaders have to pay utmost attention also to the psychology of the various members. The following pointers will help you, THE Leader, to get started:
- Common goals –
Start a discussion during which each member states aloud what they will fork for.
Make sure that everyone has an exact understanding of the goal(s). - Respect –
Watch for any tendency for one member to dismiss another’s contribution.
If necessary, interfere (with seeming interest) with a question, such as, “Why not?” - Trust –
When Team members see that you trust them to do what they promised, and that you are willing to be transparent, they realize that they can also trust each other. - Mutual accountability –
Peer pressure usually keeps work moving smoothly. - Positive communication –
After a while this becomes an ingrained habit with all. (Early use of Everything Disc®* assessments saves a lot of time.)
Success Programs offer tools and assessments to help with basic problems.
If you print out our FREE Team-Think questionnaire and let us know good times to call you back, we offer a half-an-hour FREE consultation on your situation and possible helping points.
* Everything DiSC® is a registered trademark of John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
TEAM-THINK QUESTIONS [on-page email form?]
Situation in need of improvement:
Type of Team:
□ Exact – Each member follows precisely a set of directives, with no deviation from the rules.
□ Intact – Members of a department or program, where each has his own task that leads to the outcome.
□ Process – Selected members focus on a specified task with a desired outcome, dispersing after completing the work.
□ Innovative – Most often found as parts of research & development areas.
□ Temporary – Usually a community that sees a need and steps in to help. Range from large undertakings, like Hurricane Katrina to neighborhood barn risings.
□ Spontaneous – Members may already know each other. All share the desire to accomplish something unusual.
Problem areas:
□ Interpersonal strife,
□ Training,
□ Workflow,
□ Skill deficiency,
□ Virtual communication,
□ Meetings,
□ Other.
We offer a half-an-hour FREE consultation on your situation, advise you of available tools and assessments, and offer and possible helping points. Please contact us about good times to call you back.