WHAT IS TEAM.

AA truetrue teamteam isis aa living,living, constantlyconstantly changing,changing, dynamicdynamic forceforce inin whichwhich aa numbernumber ofof peoplepeople comecome togethertogether toto workwork.. TeamTeam membersmembers discussdiscuss theirtheir objectives,objectives, assessassess ideas,ideas, makemake decisions,decisions, andand workwork towardstowards theirtheir targetstargets togethertogether..

UNDERSTANDING HOW TEAMS WORK? WHAT MAKES A GOOD TEAM Remember that each member has somethingRemember that each member has somethingto add to your team.to add to your team. Formulate team objectives carefully, andFormulate team objectives carefully, andalways take them seriously.always take them seriously. Remember that team members must supportRemember that team members must supporteach other.each other. Break long-Break long--term aims into short-term aims into shortterm projects. Allocate a clear deadline for each of yourprojects.projects.

MATCHI NG TEAM TO TASK D ecide early on what style of team is appropriate D ecide early on what style of team is appropriatefor your objectives.for your objectives. Try to form strong bonds with other members ofTry to form strong bonds with other members offormal or informal teams.formal or informal teams. Find a sponsorFind a sponsor--a senior individual who can promotea senior individual who can promote the teams work.the teams work. Remind members that they are all teamRemind members that they are all teamparticipants.participants. Fix goals that are measurable to keep your teamFix goals that are measurable to keep your teamfocused.focused. Make use of the great power of friendship toMake use of the great power of friendship tostrengthen a team.strengthen a team.

ANALYSING TEAM ROLES

Always choose leaders on merit, regardless of other considerations. Look for a strong team commitment from a Look for a strong team commitment from a leader. Always reward merit, but never let errors go unremarked. Remember that everyone in a team thinks in a different way.

BALANCING SKILLS WITHIN A TEAM When recruiting people for a team, look for their growth potential. Pay close attention to lack of relevant experience in group members. Take people out of the team if they do not perform.

Find people with a good level of personal skill, and help THEM to develop it.

 SETTING GOALS

ESTABLISHING TEAM TRUST Keep tasks to yourself only if you know that no that no-else can do them. Do not delegate any unnecessary work. Give your team the freedom to make its own decisions. Encourage positive contributions from team members.

MAXIMIZING PERFORMANCE Acknowledge, publicize, and celebrate all team successes. Find an easily accessible way of displaying team progress daily. Encourage people to form working partnerships within the team.

CREATING A SELFMANAGED TEAM Encourage natural leaders to lead and develop their leadership skills. Never reject a team idea without explaining why, frankly and fully. Make sure that the team keeps in contact with its customers.

RUNNING TEAM MEETINGS Change the chairperson at each meeting to involve everybody. Try to delegate as much as possible to other members of the team. Distribute agendas in advance of the meeting to give your team time to prepare.

DEALING WITH P R OBLEMS Treat everyone in the team equally to avoid causing anyTreat everyone in the team equally to avoid causing anyresentment.resentment. Regard disruptive team members as innocent until they areRegard disruptive team members as innocent until they areproven guilty.proven guilty.

Telling individuals they are doing a good job will buildTelling individuals they are doing a good job will buildteam morale.team morale.
Always treat team members with respect, even those whoAlways treat team members with respect, even those whomay be creating problems for you.may be creating problems for you. Avoid direct conflict with team members.Avoid direct conflict with team members.

Remember to be tough on the problems, not the people.Remember to be tough on the problems, not the people.
Ensure that the whole team is able to learn from solvingEnsure that the whole team is able to learn from solvingproblems.problems.

 TRACKING TEAM PROGRESS Circulate all relevant facts and figures beforeCirculate all relevant facts and figures beforeteam reviews.team reviews. Never make personal attacks on individualsNever make personal attacks on individualsduring reviews.during reviews. Remember that relationships will change over Remember that relationships will change over timetime Avoid the trap of minimizing or ignoring badAvoid the trap of minimizing or ignoring badnews.news.

SETTING TA R GETS Involve everybody in targetInvolve everybody in target--setting to foster setting to foster teamwork and consensus.teamwork and consensus.

Motivate teams by allowing them to decide how toMotivate teams by allowing them to decide how tomeet targets.meet targets.
Ensure that team targets enthuse team members, andEnsure that team targets enthuse team members, andchange them if they do not.change them if they do not. A team without stretch goals will under A team without stretch goals will under-perform oneperform one that has them.that has them.

REWARDING PERFORMANCE Allow your staff to have a say when it comes setting reward levels. Avoid using league tables the team member at the bottom will become resentful.

ADAPTING TO CHANGE Appoint someone to monitor any relevant changes inAppoint someone to monitor any relevant changes inthe market.the market. Be prepared to change even the most fundamental elements of a plan.

Remember that some people are afraid of change.

Look for team members who can advance change.

GOALS FOR A TEAM Conduct personal career progress appraisals at regular intervals. Remember that encouragement of the individuals will help the team. Agree career plans with team members and give any support they need. Keep in touch with team members after they disperse you may well want to work with them again.