Building Thriving Teams – That Achieve Business Growth Presented By: Nic Tsangarakis

Agenda To what extent is it important for business results? How well do teams do? What more could be done? How can it be done?

What is a team? “... a small number of people with complimentary skills who are equally committed to a common purpose, goals, and working approach for which they hold themselves mutually accountable... this is a group that has members who are also deeply committed to one another’s personal growth and success.” Jon Katenbach and Douglas Smith, The Wisdom of Teams: Creating the High Performance Organization

Extent Important & How Do Teams Do? Team participants asked to answer two questions. Using a rating scale of 1 – 10: How important is teamwork in achieving our business strategy? How are we currently doing?

Extent Important & How Do Teams Do? How important is teamwork in achieving our business strategy? How are we currently doing? 8,8,9,9, 6,8,9,9 Avg: ,6,5,6,6, 7,5,6 Avg: 6

Extent Important & How Do Teams Do? “Few teams function as well as they could. But the stakes get higher with senior-executive teams … dysfunctional ones can slow down, derail, or even paralyze a whole company.” Three Steps To Building A Better Top Team. McKinsey Quarterly. February, 2011.

Extent Important & How Do Teams Do?

In Summary To what extent is it important for business results? How do teams do? What more could be done? How can it be done?

How Can The Gaps Be Closed? 1.Get the right people on the team... and the wrong ones off 2.Make sure the top team does just the work only it can do 3.Address team dynamics and processes Three Steps To Building A Better Top Team. McKinsey Quarterly. February, 2011.

How Can The Gaps Be Closed? Teams and team work will flourish when … a)the team regularly reflects on how it works, b)identifies strengths and gaps, and c)then does something about them

How Can The Gaps Be Closed? Results in “guiding principles” Complete this sentence: If our top team did one thing differently to measurably help close the gap and make the team even stronger; that thing is …

Example 1 Meetings 1.We don’t accept meetings we cannot make. 2.Cellphones off, and no laptops, unless required for the meeting. 3.The meeting organizer will insure that there is an agenda and desired outcomes. 4.Action items that result from meetings will be documented. 1.We will not use for “discussions” or conflict resolution – instead, we will talk to each other face to face. 2.We will use a descriptive subject line on s to clearly identify it as an action, info request, etc. Conflict resolution 1.We will employ active listening skills with each other. 2.We try to resolve issues directly with each other, before involving the boss. 3.We will not leave important issues unresolved. Other 1.We will lead by example. 2.We use positive energy to make the most out of the situation we have.

How Can The Gaps Be Closed? Expectations Positive feedback Constructive feedback

Absence of Trust Fear of Conflict Lack of Commitment Avoidance of Accountability Inattention to Results How Can The Gaps Be Closed?

Trust: Personal Histories 1.Where you were born 2.Number of older/younger siblings 3.A unique challenge you faced in your childhood 4.Your strengths 5.Your shadows / weaknesses 6.Misconceptions that you perceive others have of you

Absence of Trust Fear of Conflict Lack of Commitment Avoidance of Accountability Inattention to Results How Can The Gaps Be Closed?

Direct and Actionable Feedback Here is what I’ve seen in the last 6 months that I really appreciate … Here is one suggestion for what you can do more of …

Questions and Discussion