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3 Oct 2011 03:04 PM
Why the topic is important?
“Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.“ The words of Henry Ford, best sums up the essence of participating in an effective work team. Work teams exist in organisations to fulfil a shared purpose and to achieve work objectives. Individuals need to know their roles and leverage on interdependent relationships in contributing to effective work teams.
The outcome we are trying to achieve
At the end of the talk, participants would be able to grasp the fundamentals of roles
and expectations in work teams, apply some elements of participating in a work
teams and understand how effective work teams contribute to the business
Top issues and sharing of Best Practices
The CoP started on a good note with a lead-in into the workings and characteristics of what it takes to be a high performing team.
After a brainstorming session, the respective groups voted to decide on the priority for a more focused discussion. The top four issues in developing and participating to build an effective work team identified during the multi-voting process were as follow:
S/N
Issues Identified
No. of Votes
1
Communication
41
2
Leadership
37
3
Change
8
4
Synergy
8
Communication
The best practices sharing included having an established system in place for leadership to monitor team performance and providing feedback during the review of performance results. Communication on clarity of goals and results achieved promotes team effectiveness. Effective communication should start at the top and cascade to the working level, to the different work locations, be holistic in approach and be well aligned with business goals,
Leadership
Effective leadership makes effective teams. Leaders must set clear goals, clearly communicate them and motivate team members to achieve results. Leaders should be cognizant of the unique characteristics of individuals so as to tap on their strengths. To ensure support by team members, the action of leaders are expected to be congruent with their words. Leaders would do well to serve with their heart, lead their teams with humility and admit their mistakes when necessary.
Change
Teams should be responsive to the various and varying expectations by shareholders. Having diversity in a team provide advantages such as creating more options to include creative solutions and capitalizing of strengths from diverse teams as opposed to homogenous ones.
Synergy
Organizing team building events and activities helps enhance team bonding and growth. When people get together in an informal manner, it helps them to understand each other better, address each other’s concern, be more cohesive in achieving their shared purpose. The purpose of team bonding helps to build commitment and achieve better synergy for their organization.