Why High Performance Teamwork?
Unfortunately teams don't just happen. Yet we constantly meet Leaders who do not believe in or value the need to create and work with a team. Thus they attempt to do it all themselves, or if their first attempt at building teams doesn't produce instant results, quickly revert to a do-it-yourself approach.
Result,the rich resources of a team are diluted into one task focused leader and disengaged under utilised Team Members watching on the sideline.
Reality it takes conscious effort and intervention to shift a collection of individuals to a team that feel accountable and committed to their goals and are in a position to optimally perform as a team.
But is becoming a team a real choice? Take Project Teams - often expected to rapidly form and immediately perform, combining their expertise to solve problems, earn the trust and commitment of those affected and deliver change to a pre-determined timetable. Some expectation! For some teams, let's add the complexity of matrix, virtual and cross-functional working.
Just think:
- What could you really achieve and go for if you knew that everyone would go flat out for the team and its goals?
- What are you prepared to contribute and offer when you are on a team compared to a group?
- What issues and obstacles emerge as a result of the 'team' not working well together?
- How much energy and time is diverted from progressing the work into poor relationships, unresolved conflicts, miscommunications, absenteeism from meeting and unmet commitments?
Group versus Team
So how does a group differ from a team? There are many differences between a group - which basically remains a collection of individuals - and a team, where fusion and cohesion between individuals is required.
Click here for a chart describing and comparing groups with high performing teams and assess how far your teams for real or in name only!
Find out more about our High Performance Team Workshops