Building effective teams means focusing on the thoughts and behaviors that bring people together and encourage them to collaborate positively. Over the years I’ve noticed that companies and organizations benefit from moving beyond the standard imposed-from-above work team or sports team model and look at things from a different perspective.

Ordinary workplace teams are habitually created without any forethought because we don’t know any better. We tell people to work together and get something done. Then we act surprised when they come back and say they couldn’t achieve anything. Then we punish them. This happens because most people aren’t taught team building or only think in terms of authoritarian, hierarchical models.

So, how do you get started building effective teams? Here are some key concepts to consider:

• Teach people how to communicate effectively.
• Teach people problem solving skills.
• Show people how to include everyone in the process.
• Encourage people to praise and celebrate each other.
• Get rid of power differentials and titles.
• Welcome everyone’s input and ideas.
• Invite people to think creatively and expansively.
• Shift from competition to collaboration.
• Get everyone on the same page.
• Make team building an ongoing practice.
• Include everyone from leadership to entry-level employees.
• Teach positive behaviors that bring people together.
• Allow people to connect on a deeper level.
• Focus on being proactive rather than reactive.

Most companies and organizations think team building is a matter of forcing people to work together and maybe occasionally having them go do an obstacle course. These types of approaches may work for a short period but rarely lead to significant, long-term team productivity.

The trick to building effective teams is to create policies and programs that teach everyone in your workplace how to work in a team. The process should be ongoing and have the full commitment of everyone in the organization, especially at the top. Then, all you have to do is create a program that teaches people how to come together and work harmoniously.

You can begin building effective teams anytime you wish. All it takes is making it a priority in your workplace and helping people acquire the skills they need to succeed. You decide when you start the process. Cheers, Guy.

Bring Your People Together and Create a Thriving Culture of Team Building with My Advanced Team Building Program