Create an Exceptional Team
Harness your collective power to navigate uncertain times and achieve the unimaginable
Teams are the heart of the modern organization. We rely on them to innovate, execute, and produce.
In an uncertain and distributed world, we will rely on teams more than ever. They will make - or break - our ability to pivot, adapt, and stay resilient.
While exceptional teams can accomplish the unthinkable, teams that are mired in conflict and inefficiency can turn even the simplest project into a stressful trudge through the mud. Dysfunctional teams can seriously harm, or even bring down, their organization’s mission.
So how do we cultivate exceptional teams that feel energizing and fulfilling to be a part of, and accomplish truly great things? We’ve pulled together 5 resources we think you’ll find helpful:
BLOG: Build Trust by Naming Elephants
It all starts with trust. High-trust teams move faster, innovate better and make fewer mistakes. Low-trust teams are mired in tension, conflict, inefficiency and paralysis. What is left unsaid is often what sinks the best teams, strategies and organizations. Authentic conversations that name elephants, on the other hand, help teams to build trust, avoid mistakes and achieve greater results.
TOOLKIT: Practice Communication
In our experience working with thousands of employees, managers, leaders and teams at dozens of organizations over the course of the past decade, one type of workplace interaction has emerged as one of the most stressful aspects of work for most people: difficult conversations. While there are some battles not worth fighting, we’ve found that others can be resolved in often unexpected ways. All it takes is a willingness to engage and a few concrete communication skills to back it up.
VIDEO: Maintain Connection, Especially When You’re Distributed
Community matters, especially during these isolating times. Check out this quick inspiration by People Piece Programs Director Jess Peabody on how to make sure everyone on your team feels connected and supported.
BLOG: Cultivate Accountability and Ownership
Teams with higher levels of ownership exhibit greater productivity, efficiency, innovation and happiness. And because the burden of leadership is shared more evenly, managers and leaders get to spend more time on important strategic functions instead of fighting fires. How can leaders, managers, and team members engage in smart actions to drive ownership among their employees and peers?
BOOK: Bring it All Together
Check out the latest book from our friend and colleague Mike Robbins, all about teamwork. Mike is always a smart, authentic, and heartfelt voice, and the topic and title - ‘We’re All In This Together’ - couldn’t be more relevant.
Whether you lead a team or have just joined one as a junior member, every member of a team can play a part in its development. While some team development can be challenging, we believe the benefits of taking steps to improve far outweigh the costs, in terms of effectiveness and personal happiness.
We wish you success and look forward to hearing about your efforts. If you are interested in learning more about how our virtual and in-person training, facilitation, coaching and organization development strategies can you help you unblock what is stuck and create the team of your dreams, visit the Team Development section of our website and contact us to learn more.