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Team Health Indicators

The power teams can be equated to draftAre  people  being  heard?
horses. One can pull 5,000 pounds, but
together they can pull 30,000. Yet too oftenDo people listen as much as they talk? Texas
teams are implemented as an end versus aoil tycoon H.L. Hunt said that he learned
means to an end. Teams have, in some circles,most of what he knew by listening! Healthy
become a trend, implemented "because it's theteams are made of up of people who have as
thing  to  do."much  to  hear  as  they  have  to  say.
While teams can create dynamic results,A critical part of communicating is listening
poorly implemented teams can produceto what's being said so that you can respond
disastrous  results.to input with information that is appropriate
in terms of both content and spirit. And
The purpose of this article is to provide asometimes, an effective listener is all that
checklist on how well your teams are doing.another person needs to clarify their
Here  are  some  ideas  for  renewal.thoughts  or  release  frustration.
Renewal doesn't come from carefully writtenDo people make the mistake of trying to
words, framed and hung on the wall. Renewallisten  and  do  things  at  the  same  time?
comes from your actions, the way you spend
your time day in and day out. Let's look atDoes body language indicate that people are
five  indicators  of  team  health.open  to  input  and  non-judgmental?
MissionIs there an open and trusting environment in
which people are given a fair hearing for
Is there a clear purpose? Is everyone on thetheir  thoughts  and  ideas?
team engaged in a common goal? Is the team
focused on the original objectives? What hasIs  There  a  Rumor  du  Jour?
changed since we started? Do we need to
modify the original team charter orA subtle but solid indicator of team health
operational  guidelines?is: how still are the jungle drums, how quiet
is the rumor mill? Healthy teams operate in
Problem  vs.  Solution  Orientationan environment where issues are openly
discussed and no one is excluded from the
Are your problems more important thandiscussion. Individuals can inspire long
solutions? Healthy teams spend more timelasting, positive result by what they do not
working on solutions than defining problems.say in casual conversations. An Enlightened
What's the difference? In a world of finiteLeader models this behavior by only speaking
resources (time, energy and money), the morewhat is true, what is kind, and what is
you concentrate on analyzing problems, theuseful.
fewer resources you'll have to develop
solutions that will propel your team forward.Do people speak in whispers around the
How much time does your team spend on thesecopier, coffee pots, or water coolers, giving
positive activities: Deciding how to closeothers a negative feeling about what they're
the gap between where the team is now anddiscussing?
where it wants to be Understanding what the
team does best Determining how successes canAre team members kept abreast of important
be  built  upon  for  greater  successissues and are concerns openly addressed in
regular meetings so that rumors aren't
Avoid  "The  Swamp"necessary?
Healthy teams celebrate success as soon as itWork  Environment
happens and as often as it happens. All too
often the purpose, scope, or tasks of a teamA lot of searching has gone into defining the
change, leading to an environment that can bekind of environment that enables people go to
unfulfilling because the target changes.work at peak performance. What percentage of
We've  heard this dynamic called "the swamp."the day is your team actually performing at
its peak? It would be unreasonable to expect
Not every champagne moment needs to bea sustained performance of 100% effort, but
celebrated with a bottle of bubbly! But evenwhat can be done to make the environment more
small results deserve a moment oflike  the  one  you've  envisioned?
recognition, and the team can be rewarded for
successes  during  the  journey.Is everybody clear and following the team's
operational guidelines for each individual?
This fosters continuous improvement,Are people empowered? Does each person
encourages their continued efforts, and leadsunderstand his or her role in accomplishing
to higher performance because they see thatthe objectives? Do they have what they need
their efforts won't be taken for granted.to  succeed?
Celebration confirms the sometimes taken-for
-granted fact that success doesn't justReview your values; is there mutual respect
happen; it's the result of initiative andfor every individual and is there a high
follow through on the part of team members.degree  of  trust  and  openness?
Look around your office: Does your team track
daily accomplishments on a prominentlyAfter reviewing these Team Health Indicators,
displayed sign where people can share theiryou may want to change some things in your
results? Does your team start meetings with aworkplace. That's OK! Healthy teams are in a
review of recent successes? Does your teamprocess of continuous improvement. Follow the
recognize accomplishments by all teamprinciples of Enlightened Leadership and our
members,  not  just  a  favored  few?team will enjoy a long and healthy life.



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