10 Cs of Team Building

I read a great article about the 12 Cs of Team Building(Link) and thought that some of these questions were heavy hitters not just amongst executive circles, but in everyday life! Here are a few of my favorites:

10 Cs of Team Building

1. Clear Expectations: Establish clear expectations in terms of performance, team work, communication, and share the importance of their role in their team to create a sense of responsibility and ownership.

2. Context: Explaining the “why” behind the work the team performs is important and how it impacts the bigger picture.

3. Commitment: Get an understanding of whether the team members want to participate in the team. Are they committed to your team’s goals? Do they anticipate recognition for their contributions?

4. Competence: By understanding your team member’s strengths and weaknesses, you may be able to encourage team work with others that may have different strengths and weaknesses.

5. Charter: On a quarterly or semi-annual basis, determine and share what the team’s goals will be for that period of time and challenge the group with delivering on that outcome.

6. Control: Are your team members empowered to provide solutions? Foster an atmosphere of freedom where each person can feel accomplished in their work and able to do all possible to provide a positive member experience.

7. Collaboration: Encourage team members to work together on items that impact the group, such as arranging a pot luck or testing a new system. By playing on each other’s strengths, they will improve on their knowledge and feel comfortable reaching out when they need help.

8. Communication: Provide your team members with both positive feedback and areas of improvement whenever possible. Share important business information, updates, and other information regularly and with everyone.

9. Consequences: Do your team members feel responsible for their own actions or do they put them off on someone else? Are they recognized when they do a good job or given feedback when appropriate? Recognition should always be public while areas of opportunity should always be addressed privately.

10. Coordination: Do you have priorities and resources set for your teams? Work to have your team members coordinate their efforts with people that impact their process. This can lead to making everyone’s job easier!