D&A Team Building

The ability to work together is not necessarily natural to many people. However, when a framework is provided for first understanding oneself and then others, the ability to work together is maximized.

Strong, effective teams are made of strong, effective people.

Our highly effective team building program teaches individuals how to understand, appreciate, and utilize the strengths of diversity. Team members learn about the differences in communication, thinking and problem solving styles. They learn how to differentiate how the mind thinks from what the mind thinks. Most important, they learn about their own preferences first. Once that foundation is laid, then team members are able to focus on understanding other styles and preferences. This leads to stellar team performance.

Team = People working together toward the same goal.
Work Group = People working on the same project

Many executives believe that all it takes to form a team is to ask a few people to work together on a project with a goal in mind. Problem solving, within the group, is usually an important component. Without any education in team dynamics and the establishment of strong guidelines, problem solving becomes hopeless.

Tips for Team Leaders:

• Be available. Whether boss or subordinate, arrive for meetings and programs at least 15 minutes early and plan to stay at least 15 minutes late.
• Relate to people, not just projects. Take the time to find out about the individuals on your team - their interests, families, outside activities, etc. There's more to people and life than just work.
• Listen. Don't simply stop talking. Listening means providing feedback, so the other person understands that you understand. Paraphrase (not "parrot-phrase") back to the person what he or she has said. Remember: each of us wants to be understood.
• Give praise, recognition, encouragement and approval. William James, the American philosopher and psychologies said the greatest need of every human being is the need for appreciation. Most people are dry sponges waiting for even a drop of approval.