In this episode we’ll be looking at something which on occasion we can either love or hate and in some cases it has even been described as a matter of life and death. It is something many of us are a part of and by the same token this thing would not exist without us as individuals.
Good morning good afternoon and good evening wherever you are and welcome back to the latest episode of the My Coach Ben blog. In this episode, we will be discussing the topic of Teams.
What is a Team?
The Oxford English Dictionary defines a
team /ti:m
- NOUN [treated as singular or plural] a group of players forming one side in a competitive game or sport:
the village cricket team his team played well [as modifier] team members.
- two or more people working together:
a team of researchers.
- informal used before another word to form the name of a real or notional group which supports or favours the person or thing indicated:
are you team Mac or team PC?
we’re totally Team Jenna and can’t wait for this delightful show to return.
- two or more animals, especially horses, in harness together to pull a vehicle:
the abbey’s wagon and a team of horses are gone.
Therefore, Teams are collectives of individuals working toward a mutually agreed upon objective or goal. Members typically possess complementary talents and collaborate and support each other towards accomplishing that aim. A sport team is a perfect example. Well… a successful one anyway!
Teams in an Organisation
Teams at work play an invaluable role in driving productivity, creativity and innovation. By gathering individuals with different talents, backgrounds and perspectives together they create collective intelligence which often surpasses individual abilities. Many hands make light work!
Members in an effective team collaborate together on ideas while drawing strength from one another’s abilities. This fosters better problem-solving decisions as well as creating camaraderie among team members and thus, increasing productivity.
Engaging in open and respectful dialogue creates an inclusive workplace environment in which ideas may be freely exchanged. This is a very easy sentence Tip wrote, but an apparently difficult real-life situation to create.
Feedback is offered constructively thereby conflicts are resolved successfully. Ultimately leading to higher employee engagement, satisfaction and organisational success.
Managing Teams
Effective management of any team requires an intricate balance between strong leadership skills, clear communication and an in-depth knowledge of every member’s strengths and weaknesses.
Trust and transparency form the backbone of an effective working environment. A manager plays a vital role in creating one by setting clear expectations. Goals and open lines of communication as well as regular feedback and support so they can deliver their best work.
A good manager also understands the significance of acknowledging individual talents. They create a diverse, high performing team built around collaboration and mutual respect. As a football fan, I’ve witnessed over the years, how essential these qualities are when leading diverse and high performing teams!
Encouraging results-orientation as well as providing necessary resources and support can increase productivity for team members working towards common goals, while encouraging continuous improvement. This fosters success while driving desired results from management efforts. Truly a win-win situation.
The Coaching Perspective
Here are some questions that can be passed to assess the effectiveness of a team and leader alike.
1. How can we enhance communication within the team to ensure everyone is on the same page?
2. What steps can we take to build trust and strengthen interpersonal relationships among team members?
3. How can we leverage each team member’s strengths and skills to maximize collaboration and productivity?
4. What strategies can we implement to promote problem-solving and decision-making as a collective effort?
5. How can we establish clear roles, responsibilities, and expectations within the team to foster accountability and a shared sense of ownership?
This list is of course, by no means exhaustive. Add to, and adapt it to suit your requirements.
In Summary
Effective team leadership is not easy and requires development as well as talent. Th we can often be a love-hate relationship due to differing perspectives, backgrounds and values.
DISC profiling as well as sound conflict management are essential tools to employ which can contribute significantly to your success.
Successful teams – in certain fields can definitely be as important as life and death: in the cases of medical and emergency teams. Fortunately for most of us, it’s the difference between winning and losing.
Until next time,
Your Coach Ben
