Repairing the Links

A few ideas on how we could move towards a smoother, more efficient and harmonious team environment might be found in the 5 Cs’.

1) Clear the Air

 Before progress can be made everyone has to have the opportunity of talking out the grievances and the gripes so they are put on the table and faced. This is never a comfortable process but it is mandatory if you ever expect to gain any traction in creating a team.  Until everyone feels that they have been heard and understood then there will continue to be undercurrents and whispers. Embers just waiting to be fanned into flames.

There needs to be a structure and the whole process facilitated with great skill and care.

2) Clarify Expectations

People feel and want to know what is expected of them.  Let people know what the outcome of the meeting should be and what the long-term goals are.  Ensure that they understand that the organisation expects them to work as a team so there can be no doubt as to what the desired outcomes are.

3) Consequences

If the carrot was all that was needed, life would be a wonderful thing.  Sadly it is not so.  There needs to be consequences of not acting in a co-operative way to the betterment of the organisation.  As part of your expectations you need to set clear guidelines as to how communication and grievance should be handled and also what will happen if you step outside those guidelines. 

Over and above this is the consequence of not sticking within these guidelines being naturally actioned.

4) Conversation

Structure conversation into the everyday workings of the business.  If you want sales and marketing to work more closely together then make sure there is someone from sales in the Marketing Department’s discussions as well as someone from Marketing there whenever Sale’s is putting a plan together.  If there is discord between the Sales Department and Distribution, then make sure there is always a seat for the other team to be on-board and listening so they can have their point of view heard and taken into consideration.

Conversations should also be at an early stage so that as things are being planned the bottle-necks and annoyances that are happening can be curtailed right at the beginning.  In this way they will cease to be a bug-bear and you will have the co-operation you need for the growth that you expect.

5) Connection

People want to get to know each other at both the business level and the personal level before they will truly be accepting.   Make sure there is provision and opportunity for social connection at a deeper level within the teams.  People that share a beer or an event together will often bond far more readily and closely.  Give them the chance to get to know each other as people so they can treat themselves as humans.

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