Short article by Don MacNaughton of Zoned In Performance on how to use team building strategy from the sports world in the corporate arena.

1. business
HOW TO
BUILD A
GREAT
TEAM
Feedback:
Reaching goals is rather like going on a
WORDS DONALD MACNAUGHTON journey. You know the destination
and you’ve a good idea of the route but
Be clear about your goals: sometimes you may need to adapt or
G reat teams, rather like good wine,
take time to mature. Instant
teamwork might sound like every leader’s
A team needs to know where it’s going.
The goal needs to be clearly stated
change things a little in order to get to
where you want to go. That’s where
feedback comes in. Every team needs the
dream, but part of the point of creating and easily understood. It also needs to be time and space to step back, look at
a good team is the journey it takes to something everyone believes in. what progress has been made towards
get there. And it needs to be a goal you can easily the goal and what may need to be
There are, however, some vital measure as this helps bring clarity, focus different in the light of changing
ingredients you need in a team. Leave and a sense of achievement. circumstances.
these ingredients out and you’ll have a
bland, uninteresting recipe. Strengths in differences: Enjoy the moment:
Here are some key things to consider if
you want a team which performs at its Some of the most effective teams are Always value success and take time to
peak time after time. made up of the most unlikely mix of appreciate the people who have made
personalities and characters. There is the journey to that point possible. Savour
Great leadership: strength in diversity and it’s how that moment as a team because
those different strengths are utilised sooner or later some fresh goals will
Every team needs a good leader. This is which can create a team with real come along with some different
not necessarily the person with the impact. challenges and the journey will begin all
greatest skills, the biggest personality or Another important factor is fostering a over again. I
the loudest voice! A leader is always spirit of collaboration and discovering the
someone who has followers, is able to conditions that allow winning teamwork
impart vision in an inclusive rather an to emerge. This takes time which is why For more details contact Donald at
exclusive way and brings out the very making space for conversations in a Tel: 01463 795888 or email:
best in people. variety of contexts is so important. donald@zonedinperformance.com
28 the north magazine