The A,B,C’s of Team
Development
Like A Team
www.likeateam.com

There are many ideas as to how teams and teamwork
should be structured. Those in management leadership
often define teamwork as a group of individuals
committed to a common goal and purpose. For teams
to be healthy and productive it is necessary for those
on the team to understand the basic principles of
teamwork. To understand what strong teamwork is all
about there must be a basic understanding of team
structure. Here are the A,B,C’s of Healthy Team
Structure.

Agreeing to a Common
Purpose. Every successful
team agrees to a common
purpose! Many teams will
have to evolve into a state of
mutual agreement but
agreement is essential for a
productive team.

Backing one another up. Teams
that succeed are made up of
individual that see the value of
each member of the team.
This type of team recognizes
the importance of supporting
others in the group.

Cause. What is the "cause"
of the team? A "cause" is
something that gives a reason
for performing a task. This is
the reasonable grounds for
doing, thinking or feeling
something. A Team must
understand their "cause!"

Dedication to the cause! A cause
is worthless without dedication.
This is fuel for the teamwork
machine. Dedication must be
practiced by every member of
the team.

Energy. A strong team is
capable of energizing team
members. The talents and
skills of a strong team
complements each other.

Framework. Developing a
framework for a team is the
creation of a rigid structure that
surrounds and encloses the
design and direction of the
team. A framework helps any
team stay on track.

Goals. Every healthy team
sets goals. Some of these
goals may be long-range, some
may be short term but a
healthy team has solid goals to
shot for.

Humor. Strong teams learn to
laugh a lot. Humor is one of the
best resources to keep diverse
team members healthy,
productive and on the same side.
Work without humor is
dangerous.

Intelligence Development. One
of the greatest products of a
strong team is the melding of
minds. When several brains can
share their thoughts this is a
powerful resource for any
organization.

Journey. Those on strong
teams do not see the task as a
job but rather as a journey. A
journey is the act of traveling
from one location to a new
location. Being on a journey is
all about progress.

Keeping Focused. It is not
difficult to become detracted from
the work at hand and allow
several "things" to occupy the
mind. One of the greatest
challenges for any team is to keep
focused on the goal and ignore
those things which are secondary.

Leadership Skill Development.
Continual training for every
member of the team is an absolute
must. There is no graduation day
for those working on a team.
Leadership skill development is a
lifelong journey.

Milestone Setting. Setting
milestones (a resting point)
is what helps team members
avoid burning out.
Although teamwork is a
lifelong journey, milestone
must be set so that rest and
revitalization can take place.

Negotiations. The skills of
negotiation are absolutely
necessary for any team. Conflict
and disagreement can take place
on any team. If negotiation is
not part of the team's make-up
the team cannot hope to survive
for very long.

Organization. Teamwork is
different from "committee
organization." Every sports team
has someone who plays a unique
role. This is also true for anyone
working with a team in businesses,
charity groups or churches.
Organization recognizes the value of
each person on the team.

Physical Well-being. Rest and
recuperation are essential for
all successful teams. Ever
member of the team must take
time off. Being in good
physical shape creates strong
teams.

Quick Responses. The worst
thing for any team to do
concerning any task is to drag it
out. Quick responses can help a
team move forward in a timely
fashion. If a quick response
cannot take place this leads to
the next letter.......

Rational Analysis. When
something needs to be
decided don't forget: "Two
heads are better than one!"
Rational analysis of any issue
may take a little bit longer but
it is worth the effort.

Strategic Mapping. Put the plans
of the team down on paper. Most
people remember and think better
when they see something and not
just hearing it. A drawing of a
strategic map put in the right
place can be a constant visual
reminder of where the team is
headed.

Tolerance of Different
Personalities. A team that is
made up of various
personalities is a powerful
organization. Because of
diversity of personalities
tolerance is an area that ever
team will have to address.

Utilize All Talents. Any team
that does not utilize all the
talents on the team will short-
change the team. No team is
at its best if one person's
talents go unused.

Vision Casting. Casting the
vision of the team should take
place on a regular basis.
"Casting the vision" should be
a process that explains clearly
what the goals and purpose of
the team is all about.

Win-Win Mentality! Anytime
that conflict is addressed the
goal is for everyone to walk
away as a winner. "Win-Win"
is the goal for any conflict or
disagreement when working
with a team.

X-tra Knowledge. Extra
knowledge is always needed in
the development of strong
healthy teamwork. New ideas,
new knowledge, new concepts
and new training opportunities
are sought after by growing
teams.

Yearn for Success. Strong
teams desire for success to
take place. Success is
sought after and expected.

Zeal! Anything worth doing
should inspire us to be zealous
about it. A task that is dull will
never get the needed support.
Be zealous about what your
team is trying to accomplish!

Like A Team
www.likeateam.com