Team Builder Bible

Synopsis

“Never doubt that a small group of people can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has” Margaret Meade

If you are in a team, take the time to compare your team with the ideal team. This will help you realize whether or not your current team is functional. This chapter looks at the qualities that you should look out for.

• Does your team have the necessary qualities to enable it to succeed?
• What is it that you are not doing that you ought to be doing?
• What can you learn from other successful teams?

This chapter will also be helpful for teams who are just starting out. Setting standards will give such teams goal to work towards .They may start out with very strong teamwork if they look for these qualities right from the start.

What Makes It Good

There is No “I” in Team

A good team can’t exist with individualism. All team players must put their personal goals aside and learn to prioritize the team. You can’t try and make a name for yourself in the expense of the team. This is because; your successes and failures will all be evaluated together. If the team succeeds then all of you succeed and vice versa.

Trust, Respect and Unity

You need to learn how to trust your teammates. There are people who believe that they are the only ones who can do something well. They don’t trust others to perform equally well. This can’t happen in any team. In addition, the team has to learn how to trust their leader so as to be effective. In order to build trust, teammates should avoid going behind each other’s backs or making decisions without involving each other.

A good team has respect for one another and for their leader. Respect is illustrated in relating with one another and also in listening to each other. No matter how different the group member’s maybe, they must learn to respect each other’s view and opinions.

Winning

Success is a measure of how good a team is. A team that is losing or simply not excelling is not a good team. This normally indicates that there is a problem in the group that needs to be rectified first. In addition, winning goes a long way in keeping all the members of the group motivated.

Good Leadership

A good leader plays a very important part in determining just how successful a team will be. There are many different definitions of a good leader. However, the best one is a person who leads by example. A good leader should also have to be very skillful. This will help the team perform very well. The leader should also be able to hold the group together and encourage each player to participate and work together.

Sportsmanship and Hard Work

Good teammates use their abilities to enhance the performance of the team. They ensure that they work hard and are committed to making the team successful. Apart from relating well with each other, the team should also learn to relate with other teams. Each member of the team has an area of expertise, combined; this makes a very successful team.

Goals and Objectives

A good team should have laid out goals and objectives. This is what keeps them focused. In addition, these goals and objectives should be common. This will ensure that the team is working together. A clear vision will ensure that the team members perform very well in all their tasks.

The team should also have realistic goals. A team with unrealistic goals ends up being frustrated and inhibits good performance.

Strong Team Members with Complementary Skills

A team needs to have very strong team members with complementary skills. When selecting members of a team, this is a very important factor to consider. You can’t select teammates solely based on the fact that you do get along. You have to find out what each member of the team brings to the table.

If you look at every successful team, every single member usually has that single quality that makes them stand out and at the same time, compliment the other team players. A team leader should ensure that each member uses their skills for the good of the team.

Ability to Resolve Problems Amicably

A good team is normally able to get over their problems and move forward together. A team that can’t handle conflicts may easily break up at the first sign of trouble. In addition, the team should involve each other in decision making. This minimizes the conflicts and helps the group to learn how to work together.

Celebration of Successes

A functional team takes the time to celebrate their victories. This is one thing that can cement the bond between team players. These celebrations also help in keeping the team motivated throughout.

Unselfishness

If a team has selfish members, it will not be successful.

Equal Distribution of Tasks

A good team is whereby each member accrues their own weight. You can’t have a team whereby one person is entailed with the most responsibilities while others don’t contribute little or nothing.

Openness, Integrity, Communication and Vision

A team should have some degree of openness so as to work together. Each member should work with integrity to ensure that the team continues to perform well. There should also be communication between members. Vision will ensure that the members remain focused throughout.