YC.com: Tips on Teamwork

There was a young man who had just started dating, and over time had brought home several different young ladies for his parents to meet. None of them suited his mother, so he decided to prove to his mom that he could find someone that she would like. He looked all over and finally found a gal that was just like his mom. He brought her home for Sunday dinner. It worked! His mom loved her. This gal loved cooking, sewing, kids, church activities--she was just like his mom. There was one problem though--his dad couldn't stand her!

It seems like every time that we strive desperately to meet one person's needs, we overlook the preferences of someone else. The best managers know that they can't please all their employees all the time. What you can do is provide an atmosphere where your employees can be satisfied and motivated if they want to be.

Today's workforce needs the workplace to be a socially rewarding environment. Here are some tips on building teamwork:

Much has been written and postulated about this subject, but the practical fact is that not every group of employees wants or needs a team structure similar to those proposed by the management guru's. Think of it this way. Do your people need the structure of a basketball team, a baseball team, or a football team?

Basketball team members must play offense and defense, and be able to make the transition rapidly. They work by a strict clock. The coach is near the team during play, and can call a time out immediately when needed.

Baseball teams generally meet only when they have accomplished a set objective (three outs), or if a crisis erupts (bases loaded with no outs). The coach can have a significant impact on the game, but most of his advice is done privately (with hand signals) to specific individuals while play is going on. These teams may have a significant amount of time to re-group while they are in the dugout, and can use that time to encourage other players, or plan their next moves.

Football teams huddle after every play. They call a play, execute the play, call another play based on the results of the previous play, and so on. These teams need very strong leaders and decision makers in their quarterbacks and defensive captains, and each player must execute their assignment flawlessly or the play fails. The communication between the coach and team leaders must be exceptionally clear, and the team leaders must pass along the message just as accurately. This structure provides a clear set of objectives, specific assignments, and instantly measurable results.

If your employees work well together, but need you to be readily available--think like a basketball coach. Call regular, but short, time-outs (meetings) and monitor their performance consistently. You can have these meetings with small groups or the entire staff.

If your employees work well independently and only need occasional direction, think like a baseball coach. Encourage the employees to work together as the need arises and to know what all the other employees are doing so they can help each other. Provide coaching from a distance, and have occasional meetings to discuss strategy.

A staff roster that has many new members or has positions that interact more with other people, may need the advantages that a football team structure provides. Here, their interactions may be more dependent on the actions of others, so discussing situations on a more regular basis has its merits. Regular staff meetings, updates on particular roles and duties, and regular encouragement from the coach and the rest of the players are essential to this team's success. Encourage the staff to talk regularly throughout the day, and fully utilize the leadership skills of the capable employees.

Don Tyler, Tyler & Associates, Clarks Hill, IN, managed grain and livestock operations for over 16 years and now helps resolve personnel management issues with a wide variety of agricultural clients across the country. He recently published "The Complete Guide To Managing Agricultural Employees ". He can be reached at 765-523-3259 or through his website at www.dontyler.com