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Success in today's markets demands that teams perform at higher levels. Maximizing resources is not enough. Companies demand that people do more with less, which means that team synergy is imperative. Without quality teamwork, companies suffer the consequences of history and norms that prevent true collaboration and consensus. High quality teams share values, trust each other, and practice ongoing communication that is swift, clear, and focused on excellence.
When team members are able to communicate openly and honestly, the quality of results surpasses what any individual might have achieved alone. Think of synergy as 1 + 1 = 3, or 5, or something even greater. One person working alone has his or her own idea about a new product design. Another person has a different idea. By communicating honestly and openly about their differences and points of agreement, they may be able to come up with an idea that is better than either individual idea. This is synergy — when the result is greater (or better) than the sum of its parts.
What keeps teams from achieving synergy? Teams often work with a "ready-fire-aim" mentality,
focusing on results and ignoring process. People share skills and experience without understanding the values
and attitudes driving individual behavior and team norms. With this dynamic, "teams" are merely groups of people
working as isolated individuals. As a result, teamwork is characterized by win/lose competition, destructive
politics, unclear goals, poor communication, and unsound practices.
Building Spectacular Teams means unlocking human potential by removing barriers and strengthening relationships. Members complete the following steps to define team excellence and build a strategy for change:
- Define sound team norms and compare them with existing norms
- Clarify team roles and responsibilities
- Discuss the consequences of personal behavior and develop improvement strategies for each member
- Address actual, current issues with action plans that include measurement and follow-up
How is Building Spectacular Teams Different? Most team building seminars or programs work to either build team
morale or develop specific skills. In some cases, the results are powerful, but limited and short lived because the
day-to-day issues, behaviors, and consequences aren't confronted. Building skills and increasing morale are vital,
but change doesn't last unless personal values and real-life work issues are targeted. The Grid approach to team
building produces instant and lasting change by homing in on the actual barriers that people encounter every day.
The discussions are candid, structured, and focused on improvement and results.
Problems are confronted and resolved. Team members experience the release of confronting and resolving real problems, which raises morale and creates commitment.
"Today if I was asked to run a company like Chrysler or General Electric, which was in a business that was new to me, I can't think of a better way than participating in Grid to get to know my new team, for them to get to know me, to develop candor, mutual trust, and ultimately direction."
Ben Edwards, Chairman Emeritus, A.G. Edwards & Sons
Building Spectacular Teams Seminar Brochure
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