Changes At Work Provide Excuses To Divide Team
Sunday, June 22nd, 2008 at 7:16 pm by Denise O'Berry
My company has never done team building, and most of the staff have been here for several years. Our facility is undergoing major construction that challenges us and our clients daily. I think there is no time like the present to begin positive change, but the staff are often using “the construction” as an excuse for poor attitude and performance. They aren’t interested in team building.
The Team Doc Says…
Then don’t call it team building. 
Your team is probably dealing with the “entitlement” issue like so many teams where the employees have been part of the staff for a long time. It also sounds like the engagement level of the team members is pretty low.
I agree with you that the time for change is now. You didn’t indicate what type of business you are in, but no business can stand on its laurels for long without failing. Sometimes it takes years — think Montgomery Ward — but it all comes to an end eventually if nobody cares to make things better.
It would be a good idea for you to map out a strategy for making change happen. Begin by doing an assessment. Interview your team members to find out what they think is working and what they think is broken. Ask them why they continue to come to work and what would make it better for them. And make sure you ask them, “If you were the boss, what would you change right now?” Answers to this assessment will help you determine your course of action. You should share the results of the assessment with the team (not sharing names of course!).
Once you have your results, facilitate a meeting to address each issue. Create an action plan to take steps to confirm or correct every item from your assessment report. Track the team progress along the way and celebrate your achievements.
I believe you’ll see a turn around in time. Most people don’t want to come to work and do a bad job. They want to come to work and make a contribution. Seeing “their suggested changes” turn into reality can move them in the right direction.
Let me know how this works out for your team.
More Posts On This Topic:
|
|
Permalink
Filed under: 
<-- Google Analytics 7-8-2007 -->
<-- Woopra Beta 8/2/08 -->
I would say go and have a good fun team day out where you pick the right event for everyone and not just the boss who fancies sailing a yacht for the day, but his colleagues get sea sick!
Pick something fun and just have a good time. I think some of these facilitators at some events try to look too hard at peoples’ actions. Just enjoy the day and surely this will pay off in terms of a happier team long term?