A Team Gets the Job Done (WT599)

A Team Gets the Job Done (WT599)

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by Shirley Dalton | 17 Dec, 2021 | Blog, Leadership

WT 599 A Team Gets the Job Done

This week I was searching for some inspiration for the Weekly Thought.

As one colleague mentioned to me, “Now that you’re not travelling anymore we won’t get to hear about your adventures”.  No pressure.

Well, today that changed in a heartbeat.

I was so inspired by the immense display of teamwork that occurred as a result of the news that some of our team members had been exposed to not one but two people who were Covid positive.

As soon as the news came in the leadership team swung into action.

Initially a conference phone call, it soon turned into a zoom meeting to invite feedback and involve the senior leaders.

One leader briefed us on the situation. Another who was responsible for the Covid Strategy and making sure we complied with the Public Health Orders briefed us on the NSW Health Covid Matrix for categorising the workers as Close or Casual Contacts or Notify to Monitor Symptoms.

Another made a list of all the people who needed to be contacted and informed.

As a team, we came up with a list of actions.

One by one team members volunteered to complete the various actions.

Within 15 minutes after the meeting, most of the actions had been completed.

It was an incredible example of how a team gets the job done.

Each team member contributed something different.

Each team member relied on the others to ensure the mission was a success.

Whilst we can’t wave a magic wand and change the Covid Positive status, we can support those who have been impacted by the situation and do what we can to prevent further spread.

In times of crisis it’s often when you notice how quickly and efficiently a team can form and take action.

Your job this week, apart from staying safe and well, is to look to your team and consider how your team would respond.

And if they would swing into action, then I urge you to show your appreciation because it takes a team to get the job done.

Regards Shirley

P.S. We’ve set the dates for our next Leading Yourself and Leading Others Experience for 2022. If you’re thinking about embracing change and having some support, check out https://shirleydalton.com/leading-yourself-leading-others-may2020/. Experience starts Thursday 10th February and Early Bird Discount ends 31st December (saving $1,000).

P.P.S. Invite your friends to get the Weekly Thoughts delivered directly to their inbox. Go to https://shirleydalton.com/weekly-thoughts.

Being on a Team Makes a Difference (WT550)

Being on a Team Makes a Difference (WT550)

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by Shirley Dalton | 8 Jan, 2021 | Blog, Leadership

WT 550 Being on a team makes a difference

Playing Finska, (a form of skittles) on New Year’s Eve, I didn’t know the rules. I didn’t know the strategies and I certainly wasn’t very good.

As I moved off the field after having my zero score turn, yet again, I heard another player refer to her team members.

“Are we playing in teams?” I asked.

“Yes. We’ve all been allocated to a team. There are 4 teams.”

“Oh”, I said. “How do I find out whose team I am on?”

“Just go and ask over there, to whoever has the score sheet.”

I found out who my team members were and immediately went and apologized for my lack of contribution to our overall score.

I was amazed at the difference to my mindset and competitive spirit once I found out I was part of a team.

Instantly I cared about supporting my team. I cared about my contribution. I didn’t want to let the team down.

Having scored three lots of zero points, I was determined to do better.

On my next turn, I thought of the team and simply threw the baton with gusto.

I scored 6.

Whilst we didn’t end up winning and I wasn’t the only player to score zero, (it’s actually a harder game to play than it appears), I did learn a very valuable lesson about the impact and influence of being on a team.

Think about the teams you’re on or not on.

What difference does it make to you and your commitment and performance, knowing that you are there to support each other towards achieving the end goal?

Being on a team really does make a difference.

Want to get the Weekly Thought delivered direct to your inbox (every Friday morning Aussie time)? Register here: https://bit.ly/sdweeklythought

Teamwork is Everywhere (WT542)

Teamwork is Everywhere (WT542)

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by Shirley Dalton | 13 Nov, 2020 | Blog, Leadership

Teamwork is Everywhere WT542

The other morning we were on a deadline to get packed up and get moving. Checkout time at the caravan park was 10am. As I looked around the park, I noticed many of the other campers were also scurrying around to pack up and vacate on time.

As I watched (while I packed up of course), I started thinking about teamwork.

Teamwork is everywhere.

Ross and I have our jobs. He takes care of the outside and I take care of the inside.

I was intrigued to watch the other husband and wife teams as they appeared to have their specific jobs too.

A well functioning or high performing team consists of team members who trust each other to do their jobs and do them well.

A high performing team also consists of team members who are not afraid to speak up and hold each other accountable.

A high performing team outperforms a group of individuals any time.

A high performing team also provides support for members when they need it.

Think about your personal teams; your family and friends.

Recall a time when your family or friends were organising a big event; perhaps it was a wedding or a birthday celebration or other festive occasion.

Think back to all the jobs that had to be done by a certain timeframe. Think back to who organised the jobs and allocated them to team members.

Think back to the fights and squabbles that occurred as tension mounted getting closer to the day.

Successful events require a team approach. We can’t do everything by ourselves.

This week I invite you to take notice. Look around and identify all the teams you belong to.

Identify the ones that are high performing and identify what makes them high performing. Do your teams tick the boxes above?

Remember, teamwork is everywhere.

Want to get the Weekly Thought delivered direct to your inbox (every Friday morning Aussie time)? Register here: https://bit.ly/sdweeklythought

Give Them a Project (WT452)

Give Them a Project (WT452)

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by Shirley Dalton | 22 Feb, 2019 | Blog, Leadership

WT 452 Give them a project

Many workplaces use the word “team” to describe their employees or various divisions within their companies and yet what they really have is a group of individuals.

A team works together to achieve a common goal. Individuals within a group work towards achieving their own results.

This week in our leadership experience, the participants experienced what it is like to become a team.

At the end of each session, participants are given homework to do; some complete the homework and some do not. Those who don’t complete the homework cause the group to “fail”.

In the initial stages, participants are concerned with their own success until they understand that their contribution or lack thereof affects everyone.

The way to move a group of individuals to become a team is to give them a project.

Years ago, a psychology experiment was conducted in America where school buddies were separated and placed into different groups at a summer camp. The groups were then manipulated and influenced to the point where the original school buddies no longer liked each other. The camp leaders and psychologists could not let the children return home with a dislike for their friends so they came up with a project which required ALL of the groups to participate to solve the problem.

As the groups worked with each other to solve the problem and complete the project, the relationships began to mend and the entire group became a team.

In our leadership experience, one person stepped up and took the lead, which the others were happy to follow. (As a sidebar, they learned that their people are looking for leadership and are happy to be led.)

There was a flurry of emails, phone calls and text messages as group members worked together to pass the assignment.

If you’re finding that your “team” is really operating as a group of individuals, reflect on the instructions you are giving, as well as the tasks.  Are the tasks set up for individual performance or is there a common goal the “team” are working towards?

If you want your people to work as a team, give them a common project or goal to achieve.

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