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"In today's team-based organizations, winning the respect and cooperation of colleagues and staff members is critical if you want people to help you get things done," said Edward T. Reilly, President and CEO of American Management Association. "You need to create a cohesive team and foster an environment of cooperation to successfully complete complex and critical projects," Reilly said. He offers the following advice:
Consider the group's mission when selecting a team. Choose team members who have performance capabilities that are best suited for the task at handÑdon't choose them based on existing relationships.
Put together a diverse team. Limiting the group to people with similar interests and experiences will limit the final result. Recruit individuals who represent a mix of viewpoints and perceptions. Also, if support is needed from various parts of the organization, select team members from these departments.
Identify the strengths of your team members. Ask members what tasks they feel they are most suited to accomplish in the project. That way when you delegate assignments you will know which members are best equipped, and most eager, to perform them.
Be clear about member responsibilities. Good teams have a multitude of complementary talents. Each person has strengths to bring to the team effort. All the members need to understand what is expected of them and what role they will play.
Focus, focus, focus. If you keep the unit pointed in the right direction, members will have a clear sense of direction. You need to communicate your team's vision each and every day and use it as a behavioral guide. To help them link their everyday actions to the vision, engage existing and new members in discussions about what they're doing and why.
Make all members accountable for team results. When the team is successful, they can share the glory; when the team is less than successful, they must share the consequences.
Condition team members to believe they are part of a successful group. Be certain members know that their team is made up of winners, and that they wouldn't be there if they weren't winners, too. Build esprit de corps by stressing team accomplishments.
Earn members' respect. People follow a leader they trust and respect. Carry through on promises. If you say that you'll do something, they want to know they can count on your word.
Get feedback about how to improve the team's performance. New members can often see things more clearly than insiders. Even if you disagree with member suggestions, let them know that you were glad to hear their ideas.
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