Kees van Middendorp’s Post

✨ I want to share a wonderful #team definition, which also answers the question of "what makes a good team." Jon Katzenbach defines a team as follows: “A small number of people with complementary skills, who are committed to a common purpose, performance goals and approach, for which they hold themselves mutually accountable.” Let's take a closer look at the concepts in this definition: 📌 The size of the team: While there are different answers regarding the ideal team size, they all share the common aspect that a team should consist of a small group of individuals. Recommendations like 3-5 people or 4-8 people support this idea. 📌 Complementary skills: It is evident that team members should possess different skills. The synergy is unleashed when team members can work together in a complementary manner, provided there is an environment of supportive communication and collaboration. 📌 Common purpose: Team members need to agree on a common purpose and commit to working towards it. I see that sometimes "purpose" become invisible for teams. When you ask what is your common goal, people struggle to answer. 📌 Shared performance goals: There is a need for a common understanding and clarity about what the team's outputs are. 📌 Shared approach: There must be a common understanding of how the team will carry out its tasks. Conflicts about working methods and processes are quite common. Beliefs that one's own methods are the best turn into the biggest obstacles to a shared approach in teamwork. 📌 Mutual accountability: Being mutually responsible is the opposite of commitments. In a good team, team members feel accountable to each other for the tasks they undertake. They see themselves having the right to remind their colleagues of their responsibilities if they fail to demonstrate this approach. What is your definition of a good team? (Ref: Coaching the Team at Work David Clutterbuck) Image by https://lnkd.in/dTFRYv7p

Do your teams have clear agreements to work better together? 🤔 Take a moment to think: What guidelines do you have in place to collaborate effectively, maximize strengths and tackle challenges? Review this post and article and get ready to level up your teamwork! #TeamEffectiveness #Collaboration#V&B

A New Science of Teamwork Teamwork remains highly relevant in organizations today. Recently, at V&B, we've engaged with a couple of U.S.-based client companies to address challenges related to dysfunctional teams, lack of teamwork, and the need for improved cross-functional collaboration. While it might seem like an "old topic," effective teamwork continues to be central to the success of departments and organizations. In the September-October edition of Harvard Business Review, the concept of "a new science of teamwork" was explored, drawing from McKinsey's study of over 4,000 teams. This study blends established wisdom with new data-driven techniques and insights, resulting in three key principles for effective teamwork: - Develop an Operating System - Invest in Active, Real-Time Measurement - Create a System for Continuous Improvement and Innovation Our program, "Building Highly Effective Teams," is designed to support organizations in this critical area. Among several areas of focus—such as understanding personality and styles, generating trust, engaging in healthy conflict, and building a cohesive team—one core topic we emphasize is the creation of "Team Operating Agreements." McKinsey refers to this as the "Operating System" or WWW ("The Way We Work"). For us, "Operating Agreements" involve setting clear guidelines that help teams establish how they will interact, communicate, leverage each other's strengths, and tackle challenges. These agreements also include establishing team rituals, such as when to meet as a team, when to hold one-on-one meetings, when to give feedback, and when to conduct continuous improvement checks. Consider this: If we don't define and discuss how we'll work together as a team, we risk becoming ineffective. It's like sending a soccer team onto the field without discussing how they'll play together. It's not enough to simply know each role; we need to strategize on how to handle adversity, make the right moves, support each other when things get tough, and perform at our best as a team. So, I invite you to reflect: Do you have Operating Agreements within your team? What about with your most critical cross-functional partners? Do you have a system for checking in and course-correcting when needed? And importantly, do you openly share feedback with each other? To read the study in more detail, click here: https://lnkd.in/gvb53Bi8 #teamwork #teambuilding #teameffectiveness #leadershipdevelopment #coaching By Beatriz Nicolau

Ever wondered how to measure the success or effectiveness of your team building efforts? Read my thoughts to gain a new perspective :)

Teamwork is Your Secret Weapon, and even though knowing why teamwork wins is crucial, how do you cultivate a collaborative environment?  A big project, critical deadline and long to-do lists can start to overwhelm us, and we get into the granular. In that moment, a team member can offer a fresh perspective, and suddenly, everything falls into place. That's the power of teamwork. Why Teams Triumph Strong teams are more than just the sum of their parts.  They bring diverse strengths and perspectives together, creating a powerful synergy that tackles challenges head-on.  Here's how:  ☞ Boosted Problem-Solving   Multiple viewpoints spark creative solutions and help identify potential roadblocks before they arise.  ☞ Enhanced Efficiency Teamwork distributes tasks,  lightens workloads, and  leverages individual expertise for faster progress. ☞ Continuous Learning & Growth Collaboration fosters a culture of knowledge sharing,  where team members learn from each other's experiences and skills. But how do you cultivate a collaborative environment?  Here are a few key strategies: ☞ Define Your Vision & Roles Set clear goals for the project and  establish each team member's contribution for optimal focus. ☞ Open Communication is Essential Encourage regular check-ins, honest feedback, and  active listening to maintain transparency and trust. ☞ Celebrate Successes Together Recognising both individual and team achievements keeps  motivation high and reinforces positive behaviours. While the above tips are essential, psychological safety is another key ingredient for a truly high-performing team. #comment How are you building a safe environment for your teams? Follow Utkarsh for daily content on personal and professional growth!

So, you've experienced a team building event – maybe it was a workshop on trust-building or an escape room challenge. But how can you determine its success and effectiveness? Let’s consider two crucial aspects. First, establishing clear objectives or goals for the activity is essential. I always encourage leaders to define specific outcomes for the team building experience, which helps participants understand their key takeaways. Using simple surveys to collect feedback, I inquire whether the workshop helped achieve the set objectives. Another aspect to evaluate is the impact on team performance. Observe if there's been a shift in individual productivity, efficiency, or work quality, along with qualitative measures such as team morale, trust, and communication. While employers often focus on quantitative metrics like absenteeism or profit impact, aligning with organizational values is equally vital. These values guide interactions among team members and with external stakeholders, shaping the team's culture. Ultimately, trust forms the foundation of any high-performing team. Assessing the team's trust levels is crucial for success. If you feel there’s room for improvement, let’s connect to strategize on building trust and enhancing team cohesion.

Teamwork plays a crucial role in the success of any organization, and its importance cannot be overstated. Here are some key reasons why teamwork is essential: Achieving Common Goals: When individuals work together as a team, they can pool their talents, skills, and resources to achieve common objectives more efficiently and effectively than if they were working alone. This synergy allows teams to accomplish tasks and projects with greater speed and accuracy. Fostering Innovation: Collaboration within a team encourages the sharing of ideas, perspectives, and experiences. This diversity of thought often leads to innovative solutions to problems and challenges that may not have been possible through individual efforts alone. By leveraging the collective intelligence of the team, organizations can stay competitive and adapt to changing environments. Enhancing Productivity: Teamwork promotes a sense of accountability and responsibility among team members. When individuals feel a shared ownership over the outcome of a project, they are more likely to stay motivated and focused on their tasks. Additionally, teams can distribute workloads more evenly, reducing the burden on any one individual and increasing overall productivity. Building Trust and Relationships: Collaboration fosters trust and camaraderie among team members. By working together toward common goals, individuals develop mutual respect and appreciation for each other's contributions. This sense of camaraderie strengthens team cohesion and morale, leading to a more positive work environment. Improving Communication: Effective teamwork relies on open and transparent communication. When team members communicate openly and regularly, they can coordinate their efforts, resolve conflicts, and share feedback more effectively. Clear communication also ensures that everyone is aligned with the team's objectives and priorities. Supporting Personal Growth: Working in a team provides individuals with opportunities for learning and personal development. By collaborating with others, team members can expand their knowledge, skills, and capabilities. They also have the chance to learn from their peers, receive constructive feedback, and grow professionally. Overall, teamwork is essential for organizations to thrive in today's complex and interconnected world. By fostering collaboration, innovation, productivity, and trust, teams can achieve remarkable results and overcome even the most challenging obstacles. #teamwork #innovation #collaboration #trust #buildingstrongteams

The Power of Teamwork Seen Through a One-Eyed Lens Leveraging Teamwork for Efficiency: Lessons from a One-Eyed CEO Navigating the complexities of the business world with one eye might seem like a solo journey, but it's truly a testament to the power of teamwork. I'm Max, the one-eyed CEO yellow lab, and today I want to share how embracing our collective strengths can lead to unmatched efficiency and innovation. Imagine playing fetch but with a twist—you can only see the ball with one eye. It might take a few tries to get your bearings, but with friends guiding you, cheering you on, and sometimes even fetching alongside you, success is not just possible; it's inevitable. This is the essence of leveraging teamwork in business. In the realm of automating business processes, the synergy of a diverse team—much like a well-rounded pack—can uncover innovative solutions that might not be evident from a singular viewpoint. Here's how teamwork plays a crucial role in driving efficiency: Diverse Perspectives: Each team member brings their unique insights, much like how different senses compensate for my one-eyed view, leading to more holistic and innovative solutions. Shared Workload: Automation can seem daunting, but with a team, tasks are divided, making the implementation process smoother and faster. Resilience and Support: Just as I rely on my pack for support, a team can navigate through challenges more effectively, providing support and motivation during the automation transition. Teamwork in business, especially when it comes to automation, is about combining our strengths to create a system that’s more efficient, reliable, and capable of adapting to new challenges. It's about seeing beyond the limitations of our individual perspectives and embracing the collective vision for success.

The Power of Teamwork Seen Through a One-Eyed Lens Leveraging Teamwork for Efficiency: Lessons from a One-Eyed CEO Navigating the complexities of the business world with one eye might seem like a solo journey, but it's truly a testament to the power of teamwork. I'm Max, the one-eyed CEO yellow lab, and today I want to share how embracing our collective strengths can lead to unmatched efficiency and innovation. Imagine playing fetch but with a twist—you can only see the ball with one eye. It might take a few tries to get your bearings, but with friends guiding you, cheering you on, and sometimes even fetching alongside you, success is not just possible; it's inevitable. This is the essence of leveraging teamwork in business. In the realm of automating business processes, the synergy of a diverse team—much like a well-rounded pack—can uncover innovative solutions that might not be evident from a singular viewpoint. Here's how teamwork plays a crucial role in driving efficiency: Diverse Perspectives: Each team member brings their unique insights, much like how different senses compensate for my one-eyed view, leading to more holistic and innovative solutions. Shared Workload: Automation can seem daunting, but with a team, tasks are divided, making the implementation process smoother and faster. Resilience and Support: Just as I rely on my pack for support, a team can navigate through challenges more effectively, providing support and motivation during the automation transition. Teamwork in business, especially when it comes to automation, is about combining our strengths to create a system that’s more efficient, reliable, and capable of adapting to new challenges. It's about seeing beyond the limitations of our individual perspectives and embracing the collective vision for success.

TEAM BUILDING ✅ Building a strong team involves several key strategies that foster collaboration, trust, and effectiveness. Here are some essential steps to consider: 1. Define Clear Goals Establish specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals. Ensure that every team member understands the objectives and their role in achieving them. 2. Encourage Open Communication Foster an environment where team members feel safe to express their thoughts and ideas. Implement regular check-ins and feedback sessions to discuss progress and challenges. 3. Promote Collaboration Encourage teamwork by assigning group projects and collaborative tasks. Use collaborative tools and platforms to facilitate communication and project management. 4. Build Trust Create opportunities for team bonding through team-building activities. Encourage transparency and honesty in all interactions to strengthen relationships. 5. Diverse Skill Sets Assemble a team with diverse backgrounds and skills to bring different perspectives and solutions. Recognize and leverage individual strengths to enhance overall team performance. 6. Provide Resources and Support Ensure that the team has access to the necessary tools, training, and resources. Be available to support team members with any challenges they face. 7. Encourage Professional Development Promote continuous learning through workshops, seminars, and mentoring. Support individual career growth, which in turn strengthens the team. 8. Foster Accountability Set clear expectations and hold team members accountable for their contributions. Encourage a culture of ownership, where team members take responsibility for their work. 9. Celebrate Successes Acknowledge and celebrate both individual and team achievements. Recognizing accomplishments boosts morale and motivates the team. 10. Be Adaptable Stay flexible and open to change, adjusting strategies as needed based on team feedback and external factors. Encourage innovation and creativity to solve problems and improve processes. By implementing these strategies, you can build a strong, cohesive team that is motivated, productive, and capable of achieving its goals. _Sidharth Mayekar #teamleaderships #teamleader #teamwork #selfbelieve #motivation #motivationalquotes #corporatelife #takeownership #selfempowerment #success #lifestyle #manager #management #job #work #sidharthmayekar #sidharth_mayekar