The Joy of Building a Team - Post Storming Period

My team went Ten Pin Bowling together last week. First time ever. Everyone was there. There was no complaint at all. This for me was a great achievement. A wonderful end to the team building series.

Building a team is a continuous process and it takes time. In the last year since I started the series I have had four people left a team of nine, nearly 50% turnover rate. Nevertheless, it did not take us back to the beginning of the storming process because those that remained in the team had already worked together to form a team foundation. We were clear about the purpose of the team, we had goals and we had started working in being a team.

My leadership lessons? 

Be clear about the purpose of the team - why is the team there?

Together set goals to achieve the purpose of the team.

Set ways of working standard as a team and keep referencing it and using it as a quality yardstick.

Study each member of your team to know their strengths and let them lead in an area of strength.

Have regular one to one with your direct report, use this to listen to them not just performance management

Be patient.

©WCLI