Make Teamwork Happen

Why are people so stingy with praise of their fellow teammates?

After all, we know that positive feedback inspires and motivates people.  So what lame excuses have you heard lately?

Too Busy.  You don’t have enough time to take a moment to smile and comment about a job well done.

Didn’t Notice.  You are so self-absorbed that you didn’t even notice your teammates’ hard work.  Ergo, you can’t comment on what you don’t see.

It’s Hard Work.  It takes a tremendous amount of work to invent new and creative ways to commend people on their efforts.  Why put forth the effort?

Ignorance is Bliss.  If you don’t know how to give praise, you look stupid bumbling your way through a few heartfelt thank-you’s.

Afraid To.  Whether you are afraid of being perceived as soft, weak or playing favorites, you would rather say nothing than anything at all.

Why Bother?  You rightfully expect your teammates to do their jobs correctly.  You should not have to provide any positive strokes to people simply doing their job.

Whatever your excuse, don’t be so stupid!

Stop what you are doing, notice the team’s work, and take the time and energy to simply comment on the great work your teammates do.  Don’t worry — as long as your feedback is genuine and sincere, you won’t look stupid.  You’ll look like a team player!

Question:  How have you praised your teammates lately?

I am so excited. The Department of Homeland Security just announced the National Small Vessel Security Strategy. 57 pages later, it outlines a plan to manage and reduce the overall risk on US waterways - specifically for the small boating population.

You see, this strategy was not concocted in a vacuum. It started a year ago during the National Small Vessel Security Summit. I had the distinct honor to be the lead facilitator and moderator for the summit. We had 260 stakeholders - small boat owners, commercial fisherman, ferry operators, port operations, state and federal representatives - who came together for two days to begin a dialogue about security risks and their ideas to address these threats.

There were several more regional summits, discussions, drafts and hard work done primarily by the USCG and HSI - culminating in a final strategy, just released by DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff.

You can hear about the new plan from the USCG Commandant, Thad Allen during an interview by Amy Morris.

It’s exciting for me to see a tangible, collaborative final product. And I was there at the beginning.

Question: Does your team produce tangible, collaborative products that you are proud of?

Check out the debate between Obama and Hillary and the pronoun “I”.

My dear friend, , author of Branded Customer Service, has a unique insight: Janelle noticed that Barack rarely uses the word. “I”. She says, “Hillary uses it all the time. It’s subtle and impact that it has on the audience, namely me, is that I feel invited in by Barack. Even the thank yous from Hillary were about “me” helping her. From Barack, the thank yous were about “me” helping a much larger idea. Barack feels as if he is talking with you; Hillary feels as if she is talking at you.”

Question: What language do you use to include people?

Ben Synder gave me a big bear hug. It took me a second to figure out who he is…it’s been a year since I have seen him. Ben is the CEO of Systemation, a “performance improvement learning solutions company” and a member of ISA - the Association of Learning Providers. I was facilitating the C-Level Mastermind Session in Washington DC - and Ben was back with his colleagues to learn from each other.

He said, “I learned something from you during our last session that I do all the time. In our meetings, I simply go around the table and ask for everyone to participate. It’s great!”

Simple technique: When you pose a question for discussion, let the first person volunteer to speak, and then ask if they want to “go to your right or to your left.” They get to pick who talks next, and then just keep going around the table (clockwise or counterclockwise).

Simple technique with far-reaching abilities to make teamwork happen.

Question: What are you doing to get everyone participating?

A few careers ago, I was on a panel to interview and select officers into the U.S. Coast Guard Direct Commission Program. A rather grueling process, we went through an applicant’s file and interviewed him (or her), trying to elicit stories of past behavior that would meet our specific criteria for selection…lifted directly from the CG Performance Appraisal Form.

After a few years of grading these candidates, I noticed an interesting pattern in the results: The Board scored Eagle Scouts exceptionally well - and those candidates who received their commission, did very well as a Reserve Officer.

Only 5 percent of Scouts achieve Eagle rank by age 18, when Scouting ends - and usually, it’s only one or two from a troop.

When I read the Washington Post today about ELEVEN members of Troop 681’s Viking Patrol achieving their Eagle Scout at the same time…that’s a testament to teamwork.

Question: What is every member on your team collectively striving to achieve?

Newsflash: York University Schulich School of Business was rated the 11th top business school IN THE WORLD by the Wall Street Journal.

So why do you care? Because I teach Leadership Through Teambuilding and
Facilitation Skills at Schulich. I’m just so excited, I just had to share
this fabulous news with you!

Question: Isn’t it great to be a part of a winning team? And to be
externally recognized for your exceptional results?