Improving the functioning of the team

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Failure to meet deadlines, non-compliance with promises and non-submission of projects are only a fraction of the problems that arise when teams work poorly. Although the team's efforts lead to seemingly good results, there are often many missed opportunities due to various problems.

Example: Lack of communication meant that good ideas did not fall on fertile ground. The individuals moved in a different direction than the rest of the team. The team struggled because there were no precise and clear rules and goals.
 

If you find yourself in these words, you should find a place to take steps to improve teamwork. Effective teamwork does not arise overnight. It takes a lot of effort and a thorough understanding of what teamwork is. The good news is that if you care, it will come back to you.
 

Here are 10 tips to help you make your team work better:

1. Leadership

Each team needs a leader who will oversee responsible roles, make important decisions and keep pace. However, many times the wrong person takes the lead. In practice, it seems that team leaders are usually the individuals who know the most about the project, but often have no management experience. Ideally, the team leader is the person who knows the most about the project and has good leadership skills. If you don't have it, you have 2 options. Find a good leader and teach him your professional problems or teach you to lead your greatest expert. We recommend choosing this option - usually the issue is so complex that it takes longer to understand it than mastering at least some basic management techniques.
Tip: Sometimes it's better not to waste time looking for new people, but to invest some energy in those you already have.
 

2. Rules
Setting clear rules of the game is essential for the effective functioning of the team. It is more than necessary to have set goals, strategies and a direction for the team.
When the team disperses and deviates from the defined goals, the project is unnecessarily extended or not completed at all. Each team member must have clearly defined goals, tasks and competencies. It is very important to learn to define in time when we deviate from the set goals. The sooner we find out, the less damage we will do. Apple founder Steve Jobs has said in the past that, as proud of the successful projects he has completed, he is proud of those he has not completed and has been able to stop them in time.
Tip: Visualization of goals on notice boards, constant repetition of goals, support, project time limits, motivation.
 

3. Smaller groups
When a team is confronted with a big goal, the best option is to create smaller teams or subgroups that would address more specific tasks that support the overall goal. Larger teams face bigger obstacles. A little to lighten up - Amazon director Jeff Bezos put it nicely in his theory: “Two Pizza Rule”. He says that if you can't feed your work team with two large pizzas, your team is too big to be productive.
Tip: Sometimes less is more.
 

4. Communication
Every individual in the team needs to be able to say what he or she needs to ask, when he or she does not understand something, to know how to reject tasks that are not real. The key to team communication is to be frequent and effective. Effective communication requires that all team members always know what is going on in the team. It requires the right skills and tools. It can be learned, there are various trainings, workshops, training. It must not be forgotten that listening is as important as communication.

Tip: Communicate often and effectively.
 

5. Self-control
Unless I have control over myself, I have no prospect of effective teamwork. On the contrary, I will act as a brake. If I am not a team player, I would rather announce it in advance. If I find out during the project, it is also good to report it as soon as possible - at least both parties will not have to struggle.

Tip: Start with yourself - keep yourself in control.
 

7. Don't forget to appreciate
Sure, everyone is replaceable, but your company is not the only one in which your employees can apply. Don't give them a reason to think about such things. One of the clearly defined rules is the reward that the employee will receive for a successful project. Remember to evaluate non-financially. Every successful project must be celebrated accordingly.
Tip: Don't expect team members to behave fairly unless the company treats them fairly.
 

8. Lightning-fast conflict resolution
It is normal that there are conflicts between team members. However, it is necessary to resolve them as soon as possible. Solve team problems in time while they are still at an early stage. If you don't calm them down, they will only escalate and cause an epidemic in your team.
Tip: Petty quarrels have no space in your team.
 

9. Feedback
In order to work and act together as a team, it is important that you provide feedback to each other. This will help you and other team members meet and better understand your expectations.
Tip: Just as important as giving feedback is knowing how to accept it.
 

10. Respect and trust
Team members must trust each other in their role, as well as trust their leaders to guide them in the right direction.
Tip: Your team will not produce anything good if these things are missing.
 

Let's get inspired by the best. Mother Nature also teaches us effective teamwork. As an example, we will mention the departure of wild geese to warm countries. They reduce air resistance in a unique way. In the most demanding position at the top, the “team members” take turns at regular intervals, which helps them save energy. They were also inspired by top cyclists on the Tour de France. The main group or pack of riders are glued one after the other and form a so-called peloton. Another nice example from the world of sports is teamwork in the F1 formula. The rider on the monopost goes to the box, where everyone knows exactly what to do. The result is the wearing of new tires and refueling in literally seconds. Phenomenal basketball player - legend Michael Jordan said that talent wins games, but teamwork can win the entire championship.
 

FINAL TIP:

Before you embark on an active improvement in the functioning of your team, we recommend that you watch the excellent film Apollo 13. This is a perfect demonstration that a well-played team can work wonders. The essence of the film is that failure is out of the question, as evidenced by the rational decision-making of technicians and astronauts during a crisis situation. Thanks to his teamwork and ingenuity, he manages to take control of the explosion. The main idea of the team is that leaders can only work miracles if they can secure the trust of their team.
 

Training:

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Management