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A Manager's Responsibility for Team Work
In today's competitive environment we have to work hard to create an advantage over our rivals as many products and services have similar features and benefits. A company's advantage comes from being able to produce those products or services in a more effective way.
The only resource you have that your competition doesn't is your people. The success you have in leading these people to work together harmoniously and efficiently is down to how well you understand the dynamics of team working.
Given a positive environment and the correct guidance, a team can produce a power-to-weight ratio of about 15%. This translates in real terms as seven team members producing the results normally expected of eight.
To get anywhere near that figure, a Manager must ensure that a basic framework and strategy for team work are in place:
- Does the team work provide satisfaction for the individual? If not they will feel less inclined to work for the greater good of the team.
- Do all the team members know what they are collectively trying to achieve? Failure to get this right will create fragmentation.
- Do they work as a cohesive unit with complementary skills and abilities?
A good example of a cohesive and complementary team is an orchestra. There is a leader that controls and co-ordinates, and team members that have individual skills of the highest level. They all know what they are trying to achieve and how their input affects their ultimate goal. One of the key reasons for an orchestra's success as a team is practice.
T.I.P. (To Improve Performance)
- Pick team workers
- Use the orchestra tip - cheat at team work by rehearsing
- Reward as a team. If you only reward individuals you risk destroying the team ethic.
Remember: The manager's role is to give the team direction, get the right people doing the right job, train them, and then get out of their way.
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