Nature demonstrates it’s remarkable powers of growth and renewal in the spring season. Its visible effects are admired and appreciated by most everyone, calling us to plant, trim, play and otherwise spend time outdoors. It is also a time when 50% or more of the RedPoint calls seem to be requests for team building. The manager’s request is typically framed as “we want to do something for our staff, something to bring us together, to work on communication, teamwork”. For 15+ years I answered that call with recommendations for an outdoor adventure event, a ropes course, an outdoor retreat. These events offer strong metaphoric content and can simulate real world behavioral interaction. In most cases however, the effects are short lived. The team returns to work and the event becomes one of common memory of being together and having an enjoyable time. Like an outing of golf, paintball or a nice meal together, the experience is largely a one off perk with some positive social return.
Team Development on the other hand represents a strategic effort to improve the effectiveness of all players while simultaneously improving the quality of the daily social interaction as well. It is a dynamic and continuous charge to improve relationships each working day. Team development begins with the proper selection of new employees and extends to training for job knowledge and performance expectations. Individual and team awareness training helps employees understand themselves in relation to each other, how to communicate most effectively and to diagnose interpersonal problems. Positive performance appraisals direct employees toward growth. Organizational performance becomes a shared success (or failure) and the cycle can begin anew. In this model, individual and team commitment and responsibility soars and a strong culture of hard work and success are enjoyed by all.
Near term boosts are nice and necessary. Long term performance by all is a requirement for growth. What was once synonymous, team building and team development are now defined by the results they deliver.
Team Development on the other hand represents a strategic effort to improve the effectiveness of all players while simultaneously improving the quality of the daily social interaction as well. It is a dynamic and continuous charge to improve relationships each working day. Team development begins with the proper selection of new employees and extends to training for job knowledge and performance expectations. Individual and team awareness training helps employees understand themselves in relation to each other, how to communicate most effectively and to diagnose interpersonal problems. Positive performance appraisals direct employees toward growth. Organizational performance becomes a shared success (or failure) and the cycle can begin anew. In this model, individual and team commitment and responsibility soars and a strong culture of hard work and success are enjoyed by all.
Near term boosts are nice and necessary. Long term performance by all is a requirement for growth. What was once synonymous, team building and team development are now defined by the results they deliver.
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