“Very simply put, a team is nothing
but a system of getting people in a company to work together effectively”
(Sethi, 2011) and in order to do
that, any leader should follow three basic steps to create an effective team.
The first step is to establish a clear communication channel between the team
members and the leader. Second, make consequences known and give each member of
the team the chance to learn and grow from mistakes or avoid them altogether.
Finally, create a work environment that invites team members to collaborate,
trust, and work well with one another
(Heathfield, n.d.).
One of the
best ways to create an effective communication channel between a leader and
team members is to present a clear message of what the leader’s expectations are
for team’s performance
(Sethi, 2011).
Once those expectations are defined and available then together the leader and
the team can work towards creating goals, evaluating one another’s performance,
and giving constructive feedback.
Once an
open communication channel is established, define the consequences for
appropriate and inappropriate team behaviors. When creating goals as a team,
define what the consequences will be if those goals are not met. Also, make
team members feel accountable for and proud of team achievements with rewards
and recognition for finishing a job faster than expected, doing a job
accurately, being a valuable team player, etc. (Heathfield, n.d.).
The final
step in creating an effective team is to build trust and collaboration within
the team. Creating an “open door” policy and always being honest allows team
members to trust in their leader first and then one other. To strengthen
collaboration, leaders should ensure that team members understand their
importance in different aspects in the group and that their contributions count.
Creating
an effective team may not be as hard as it seems. Clear communication, consequences,
and collaboration are in sync with one another when it comes to making the
ideal team. Implement and follow these three basic steps and your team is sure
to improve.
References
Heathfield, S. M. (n.d.). 12 Tips for Team Building.
Retrieved from About.com Human Resources.
Sethi, J. (2011, July 25). Tips on Enhancing Team
Effectiveness. Retrieved from Human Resources Blog.