http://www.meridiangrp.net/articles/Newsletter53.html

Leaders may not get what they ask for verbally, but they always get what they ask for with their behavior. Their actions trump their words every time. If you want to strengthen teamwork, ask questions, use a team decision process, and focus on common ground.

Don't Do What I Do!

A major manufacturing company asked us to investigate a problem: business units were not working closely with each other. Customers complained that products didn't always work smoothly together. The company needed more teamwork, communication, and cooperation. The president told me he had discussed the problem carefully with each of his VPs. He had put them on notice to, "Get that teamwork".

I asked the president how he had met with these VPs. He said he had called each one individually into his office. "I gave them some straight talk." I asked him if he had noticed any contradiction between his words and his behavior, suggesting that if he wanted teamwork he should not talk one-on-one. The president patiently explained that it was too difficult to get to the VPs together—they were located in different cities, some in different countries—and anyway, that wasn't the way the company did things.

I imagined his VPs calling in their business unit managers, also one-on-one, and demanding more teamwork from each of them. And similarly this directive had passed on down the line. The president confirmed my guess that nothing had changed, "Which is why you're here".

The president of another multinational asked Meridian Group to organize a conference on teamwork, trust, and cooperation. We engaged his top 70 managers to design and conduct a two-day workshop exploring what these areas meant to them. Within six months the company reported resolution of long-standing communication problems.

We Do What Leaders Do

People don't do what the boss says, they do what their boss does. If you want teamwork, show it: meet as a team, discuss the issue as a team, explore alternatives as a team, and come up with the solution as a team. If you want cooperation don't make decisions alone or one-on-one, and don't fine tune decisions behind closed doors. When discussing a decision or answering questions about it, refer back to the team meeting.

Using Questions and Decisions to Build Teamwork

Asking questions in meetings is a powerful way to build teamwork and make more effective decisions. Questions draw people out, engaging their creativity, while building commitment and fast follow through. These questions follow the consensus-building Four-Step Decision Process (see http://www.companyculture.com/change/betterdecisions.htm)

These are the facts/issues . . . I’d like to hear how you see the facts/issues?

This seems to be the best idea . . . How do you think we should judge the ideas.

I'll get back to you on this . . . Would you like to set a time to bring me up to date with your progress on this?

You'll get quicker results and build teamwork if you focus on common ground; between people, between units, and between customers. It is only on common ground that people commit their full energy and creativity.

Start with a subject that everybody agrees on, e.g. "We all have a stake in good communications."

1. Look for what is positive and working now, e.g. "What is going on in that area right now that we can build on?"

2. Stake out only the ground that each team member is willing to hold, e.g. "Are there any of these options that you're personally prepared to put your energy and commitment behind?"

When ground is staked out, discuss the overlap, not the differences. Discussing common ground leads to action and progress. Recognizing differences is important, but focusing on them leads to combat and loss.

If you would like to discuss your own work situation, please email me, Barry Phegan, Ph.D. barry@meridiangrp.net

Barry Phegan

2. Buy the book Developing Your Company Culture; a 187 page toolkit of practical information and examples. Click on http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0964220504



	Site Map \| FAQ \| Search A Better Workplace — Meridian Group's Newsletter, Number 53, 2-15-06 _________________________________________
	If You Want Teamwork, Show It Leaders may not get what they ask for verbally, but they always get what they ask for with their behavior. Their actions trump their words every time. If you want to strengthen teamwork, ask questions, use a team decision process, and focus on common ground. Don't Do What I Do! A major manufacturing company asked us to investigate a problem: business units were not working closely with each other. Customers complained that products didn't always work smoothly together. The company needed more teamwork, communication, and cooperation. The president told me he had discussed the problem carefully with each of his VPs. He had put them on notice to, "Get that teamwork". I asked the president how he had met with these VPs. He said he had called each one individually into his office. "I gave them some straight talk." I asked him if he had noticed any contradiction between his words and his behavior, suggesting that if he wanted teamwork he should not talk one-on-one. The president patiently explained that it was too difficult to get to the VPs together—they were located in different cities, some in different countries—and anyway, that wasn't the way the company did things. I imagined his VPs calling in their business unit managers, also one-on-one, and demanding more teamwork from each of them. And similarly this directive had passed on down the line. The president confirmed my guess that nothing had changed, "Which is why you're here". Let Me Show You How The president of another multinational asked Meridian Group to organize a conference on teamwork, trust, and cooperation. We engaged his top 70 managers to design and conduct a two-day workshop exploring what these areas meant to them. Within six months the company reported resolution of long-standing communication problems. We Do What Leaders Do People don't do what the boss says, they do what their boss does. If you want teamwork, show it: meet as a team, discuss the issue as a team, explore alternatives as a team, and come up with the solution as a team. If you want cooperation don't make decisions alone or one-on-one, and don't fine tune decisions behind closed doors. When discussing a decision or answering questions about it, refer back to the team meeting. Using Questions and Decisions to Build Teamwork Asking questions in meetings is a powerful way to build teamwork and make more effective decisions. Questions draw people out, engaging their creativity, while building commitment and fast follow through. These questions follow the consensus-building Four-Step Decision Process (see http://www.companyculture.com/change/betterdecisions.htm) Statements Questions Focus Authority on You Build Teamwork and Responsibility 1. Getting at Issues, Facts, or Problems: These are the facts/issues . . . I’d like to hear how you see the facts/issues? Here's what I think . . . Can I get your thinking on that? This is our policy . . . What is our policy in this area? These are the main points . . . I’d like to hear what the main issues are? 2. Looking for Alternatives or Possibilities: Here's what I'd do . . . What do you think we might do? These are our choices . . . How do you see the possibilities? I think we should . . . Let's brainstorm this one. Anybody? 3. Evaluating Alternatives: This seems to be the best idea . . . How do you think we should judge the ideas. It will cost too much . . . I’d like your thoughts on costs? These are the constraints . . . What do you think we should we keep in mind? 4. Deciding What to Do/Action: I want you to do this . . . Who wants to pick up on this one? I'm going to . . . What would you like to do now? Let me summarize . . . Who'd like to summarize? Here's the next step . . . So, what's our next step? And the killer of them all: I'll get back to you on this . . . Would you like to set a time to bring me up to date with your progress on this? Common Ground Gets Fast Results You'll get quicker results and build teamwork if you focus on common ground; between people, between units, and between customers. It is only on common ground that people commit their full energy and creativity. Start with a subject that everybody agrees on, e.g. "We all have a stake in good communications." 1. Look for what is positive and working now, e.g. "What is going on in that area right now that we can build on?" 2. Stake out only the ground that each team member is willing to hold, e.g. "Are there any of these options that you're personally prepared to put your energy and commitment behind?" When ground is staked out, discuss the overlap, not the differences. Discussing common ground leads to action and progress. Recognizing differences is important, but focusing on them leads to combat and loss. For more actions that build participation and teamwork, click on: http://www.companyculture.com/change/18actions.htm _______________________________________________________________________ Need Help? If you would like to discuss your own work situation, please email me, Barry Phegan, Ph.D. barry@meridiangrp.net Barry Phegan For New Tools to Improve Your Workplace: 1. Visit the informational website www.companyculture.com. 2. Buy the book Developing Your Company Culture; a 187 page toolkit of practical information and examples. Click on http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0964220504 Meridian Group, 1 Spencer Court, Sausalito, CA 94965, 415-332-2164 .



	Home \| About Us \| Services \| Clients \| Results \| Articles and Resources \| Contact Us Website design by ArgonautaWeb