I’m often asked, “Why is my team always fighting fires instead of preparing for changes?” Finding the answer may take some digging. Here are a few possibilities. Team members:

• assume others are already aware of changes and problems.
• have trouble determining what information is significant to share.
• perceive that they have limited opportunities to exchange information.
• are reluctant to bring up problems for fear of being labeled as “doom-sayers.”
• fear the “shoot the messenger” syndrome.
• do not perceive that sharing information is part of the accountability they have to the team.

Team members don’t normally withhold information on purpose. Failure to share information is usually the result of not knowing what others need, or assuming what might happen if and when certain kinds of information are shared.

How do you help your team stay on the leading edge? Establish a process which allows for proactive communication within the team.

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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