Is your company considering moving to a more empowered, team-based environment? If so, it’s important to remember that creating this type of environment can’t be accomplished on a time line. There is no magic wand you can wave to create a new environment by a certain date. It’s not a destination…it’s a journey.
It takes time, patience, and numerous changes. And, you may never get precisely where you want to go. Your success depends on total commitment from executive management, a solid infrastructure for team building support, and behavior changes on the part of all employees. In addition, management systems, operating philosophies, and measurement systems have to be modified. Moving from one type of environment to another is an evolutionary process.
Most U.S. organizations are still operating as directed work environments where the manager determines what work needs to be done and the structure for how it will be accomplished. In this type of environment, the manager is accountable for the team’s success.
In an empowered team-building environment, the manager determines what work needs to be done and the team determines how the work will be accomplished. The manager and the team are mutually accountable.
This does not mean that teams are empowered and abandoned to do their own thing. Teams must understand company standards and corporate business objectives to be successful. At the same time, management must ensure that business systems and processes are flexible enough to enable empowered teams.
Businesses today not only compete for customers, they compete for employees. Employees that are part of an empowered work force experience:
- An improved sense of control
- The ability to contribute at a broader level
- Increased feelings of participation and collaboration with colleagues
And the company wins too. Empowered teams have a stronger sense of ownership for end results which enables them to:
- Take control of processes and decision making
- Expedite delivery
- Increase quality
- Grow revenue
Before you start your teambuilding journey, take some time to assess your current situation.
- What are your company’s major business challenges?
- How does your company plan to meet those challenges?
- What is your company’s corporate vision for the future?
- How does a team-based environment fit into your company’s vision?
- What does company and team building success look like?
Denise O’Berry (aka ‘Team Doc’) provides tools, tips and advice to help organizations build better teams. Find out more at http://www.teambuildingtips.com
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