We are a 30 member organization and I am facing a very tricky issue. We are into software development and find that most of our developers are so focused that they dont want to get out of their seats – this applies to the Tech leads we have who lead there respective groups. I tried several tricks for them to integrate with different teams and team members by introducing various short games (once every week), exercises like making documentary films grouping people from various teams, seminars and sessions that need integrations. Do you have any suggestions on how more effective Team building can be done?
The Team Doc Says…
Yes. You need to be much more straightforward with these team members. Suggesting they integrate with other teams is obviously not going to work.
It sounds like you fell into the trap that snags many organizations – you took your most successful technical people and put them in a leadership role. Rarely does this work. Great techs are great techs, but not necessarily great leaders.
So what’s the best for you now?
First conduct one-on-one meetings with each of the team leads and communicate your expectations. Since you’ve been suggesting rather than telling, they may just not get it. Talk about how there’s a gap between your expectations and their behavior and discuss options for closing that gap. Create an action plan to make it happen.
Next have a meeting with all the team leaders. Identify where integration is needed and as a group determine a way to solve that problem. It may be helpful for you to bring in an outsider to facilitate this meeting. It could be a tough one and a skilled facilitator can get you where you want to go.
