Team Building Techniques, For A Healthier and Happier Working Environment

We have often heard of the importance of team, and how a good team can do wonders in an organization. All businesses and organizations have a team that works for a common goal and a specific purpose. However, in order to ensure that the team is performing well, it is essential to implement some of the team building techniques and methods. An African proverb says that “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together”. It rightly fits many situations in our life, this is when we realize the eternal power of a team. Be it work or play, team work has proven that, working together towards a common goal, and making the correct use of the individual potential can be the best growth that an organization can encounter.

However, team building is not a cake walk, and it definitely requires conscious efforts and practice, to build an efficient team. This is mainly because of the barriers of team building. Following are some of the possible barriers of team building:

 

• Misunderstanding the Team Roles

 

Belbin’s nine team roles theory explains that each individual is different, and have their own perspective. The theory also mentions that each of the team members have a very clear responsibility and set of duties. Following are roles of different individuals within the team, in Belbin’s nine team roles theory:

 

• Shaper- the person who challenges the team to improve
• Implementer- The person who can get things done on time
• Completer/finisher- The person who is capable of
• Coordinator- A person who plays the role of a traditional team player
• Team worker- a person who coordinates with the team and maintains a smooth flow of communication
• Resource investigator- These are the creative people, who are responsible for the innovations
• Plant- This also a person who is responsible for the innovations in the company
• Monitor-Evaluator- This is the person who is responsible for monitoring and evaluating the outcomes
• Specialist- An individual who is assigned a particular task that requires a special skill

 

Initially, this can impose as a barrier, because of the fact that a team is not acquainted with each other yet. However, with time and better bonding between the team members, this particular aspect would actually be considered as a good thing.

 

2) False Leadership

Employees often feel bogged down, and governed by their bosses, which does not allow freedom of thoughts and direction to the people working under them. This particular aspect, gave birth to McGregor’s theory X and Y which explains that a team has two opposing views at work that influence management.

 

• Theory X states – people would follow the traditional direction. It works on the assumption of control and power over the employees.
• Theory Y states – people would be self-directed by integrating their own views. They are keen to take responsibilities, are ambitious, and if provided right conditions, they will also strive towards improving their work performance.

 

3) No common goal or motivation

 

For any team to function properly, all the team members need to have a common goal, and a single vision, to ensure that the efforts are well-directed and guided. Isabel Briggs Mayer suggested the Mayer-Briggs theory, which mentions the importance of understanding oneself before attempting to understand others. Once the individual is capable enough to understand themselves, they would be able to weigh the pros and cons of the goals, and the work upon them without a hint of confusion or doubt.

 

 

In order to battle with the aforementioned problems, Dr. Sanjay Prem, a motivational speaker and corporate trainer suggests, 4 team building ideas that help the corporate world to look past professionalism, and a take a deeper look at humanism.

 

• Bifurcate the Roles of Each Member and the Leader

It is of utmost importance that the roles of the leaders and other team members are divided with a rational mind. This will give a realistic idea to all the team members, and will make the process of communication more smooth and systemized. Distribution of different tasks according their roles, helps in better decision making, and eventually, builds a stronger team. The team members must be able to reasonably approach the leader, not only as someone who is at a higher authority, but also as someone who has more knowledge, and can provide direction and supervision.

 

• Team building exercises and challenges

 

Games and exercises that require strategic thinking and problem solving, provide more dynamism and also build a certain skill sets in individuals.  These games also help in the overall growth and the development of the employees, and give them the freedom to explore new areas and perspectives.

Tuckman’s theory of Forming-Storming-Norming-Performing focuses on giving an unusual challenge to the members and see how they perform over a prolonged period of time. Most important aspect of such activities is to monitor the behavioural changes, and the changes in the quality of the work produced. This particular activity will work more like a reflective exercise, wherein an individual would be able to evaluate themselves.

 

• Establish values and mission

 

Humans are driven by goals and values, which motivates them to perform and achieve the ultimate goal. It is essential for a company to not just have a vision and mission, but to also establish them to the employees. This will make them feel more connected to the company, and its people. If an organization is successful in making the establishment of the core values and mission, there can be a sense of greater control, and organization in the company.

 

• Set Rules

 

Even the best of teams cannot work properly without rules and regulations, and therefore it is crucial that some ground rules are set for the team. These rules will help in systemizing the processes, and will also inculcate a sense of discipline in the employees. Nevertheless, it is essential that all rules are for a good cause, and something that would motivate and encourage a positive change in the way that people think and act.  The expert Dr. Sanjay Prem also suggests that the rules should never come across to the employees as ‘Rules’ or ‘instructions’ but rather as a set of guidelines that are to be adhered, for the communities’ holistic growth.