“When teamwork kicks in, nobody can beat you.”

• Don Shula, Head Coach, Miami Dolphins
  
• Only NFL team to attain a perfect 17-0 season

Whether it’s two people, a department, or an organization, teams are the means by which great things get done. Unfortunately, not all work groups exhibit teamwork. So, how can our groups develop that sense of community and cohesiveness, or what was Don Shula’s secret? When and how does teamwork kick in? The key is effective teamwork training.

Our research and experience point to a need for managers to be both willing and able to build and maintain high performing teams. One key to regaining our competitiveness will be how successful managers are in creating the climate for teamwork to grow and develop.

We believe it doesn’t just happen by accident. Teams work at building spirit and commitment. They talk about how they are doing. They are willing to invest time and money to protect and enhance the basic team fabric and integrity. In a team, people care about each other and are concerned about how their actions and attitudes affect each other.

Managers report that they spend from fifty to ninety percent of their efforts on managing individuals. Yes, most managers have little or no knowledge

Many of our teamwork training activities are instruments that allow participants to observe and unmask the common enemies of teamwork. It helps if we can see more clearly obstacles that all too frequently are created within a team.

Team afflictions can be widespread, including: destructive and over-charged competitiveness, individualism, over-inflated egos, personal greed, and technology such as computers that drive us into ourselves and have the potential of isolating us so we can “do our own thing.” Seeing the impact of these afflictions on the quality of teamwork is the first step towards creating a more effective team.

About the Author

To learn more about the teamwork training that CMOE has conducted worldwide, contact CMOE at (801)569-3444 or visit their website.