Building a Strategic Action Team Texas Department of State Health Services McAllen, Texas 7/18/07

The Best Team  What are characteristics of a good team?

The Four Agreements  Don Miguel Ruiz Be Impeccable with Your Word Don’t Take Things Personally Don’t Make Assumptions Always Do Your Best

Change and Teamwork  Don’t Burn Your Bridges Do Not Self-Destruct Do Not Over-React Do Not Say Anything You Will Regret Later Do Not Begin Your Own Silent Protest DO Maintain Your Self Esteem DO Strengthen Your Professional Network

Successful Team Characteristics  Awareness of Unity All team members must have a clear understanding that they are united to reach a goal Team must be unified Team members must treat each other with respect The sum of the parts is greater than one individual

Common Goal  All members of the team must proudly share a sense of why the team exists  Team members must take ownership and be committed to the common goal of the team  Good to Great: flywheel

Strategic Action Plan  Each team member must know his or her role and responsibility  Team members should have a strategic action plan  Action steps clearly defined  Mission statements

Conflict Resolution  Conflict will arise between team members  There should be a plan for resolving conflict  Team members should know the rules about resolving conflict  Major decisions should be made primarily by consensus  Settle conflicts at the lowest level possible

Share Success  Everyone has a desire to succeed  Team members can share success equally  Keep team members informed about success

Steps to Resolve Conflict  Decide Do you want to work things out? May want to wait until you are no longer angry Does the other person want to work things out May be too emotional to discuss If you are a “bystander” and not the angry person or the target of the angry person, is it appropriate for you to get involved?

Steps to Resolve Conflict  Be Direct Go to the right person (instead of talking to everyone else) Clearly define your goals and/or purposes Let go if you have no way to solve the anger

Steps ….  Acknowledge Feelings Acknowledge anger Allow person to talk about what is upsetting them listen  Find something in Common Can diminish anger

Steps….  Depersonalize Don’t take everything as a personal attack Don’t read minds It is about them Is it work related? What are you doing to contribute to the problem? Focus on mission/clients Is it a personal attack? Ask other person to focus on work

Steps….  Get to the Real Issues Paraphrase what you think is the real problem Ask for clarification of the problem Determine common goal Try to reach a consensus

Steps….  Let Go You may be disappointed that problem can’t be resolved You can only control yourself, not others Focus on the positive

Building a Strategic Action Team  Be a Good Listener  Be Honest and Open  Be Open-minded and Positive  Focus on the Big Picture  Become More Sensitive to the Different Communication Styles  Be Trusting  Be Responsible