Successful companies have some common traits that make them effective.
Team Mission and Goals Are Clear. Everyone knows why the company exists and what the interim and annual goals are. The incentives for the individual are aligned with the company goals.
People Trust Each Other. People are comfortable with each other so they can cover for each other and have smooth handoffs when away so that customers are not left stranded. This is often accompanied by good information technology systems that allow sharing of data, calendars, drafts and ideas.
Communication Is Clear. They got it, but do they get it? Both the sender and receiver of a message have a responsibility to be clear, specific and provide a feedback loop so everyone is aligned. It is critical to be as specific as possible in your messages so that your intentions are not misinterpreted.
Groups Are Open to Other Points of View. Good companies have constructive disagreements in the analysis and planning stages. They embrace different points of view with the idea that the end product will reflect the combined intelligence of the group.
Groups Collaborate With Leaders and Support. Expectations are laid out and communicated and everyone knows his or her role and how it fits into the big picture. There is a clear leader, and people enjoy the process of working together. They take satisfaction in achieving the team goal. They take pride in their contributions.
Team-Building Programs Lay the Foundation for Improving Working Relationships. Team-building is about developing stronger relationships. If you know your co-workers better and understand their background, strengths and personalities, companies can perform better. So often people operate in their silos and play the blame game. But once you have broken down those barriers, it is easier to tackle problems and constructively pool your resources.
When people are engaged in a fun day of team-building, they are more open to learning and change. On a challenge course, shared experiences create a long-lasting bond between participants. Working together to solve both mental and physical challenges gives people confidence and a sense of community.
Laughter is a great tonic, and encouraging each other as you move outside your comfort zone is very powerful. Team-building can be done just about anywhere. You just need some imagination and people experienced at facilitating groups through the process of discovery.
Matt Baker is chief adventure officer at Terrapin Adventures (www.TerrapinAdventures.com). He can be reached at mbaker@terrapinadventures.com.
