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Lifestyle

Ask Coach Carole: Create a Successful Team at the Office

Carole Rehbock
The Emeryville Connection Contributor
April 2008

Dear Coach Carole:

I am a member of several teams at work and also serve on a board of a non-profit agency. I continually feel frustrated about most of the team meetings I attend and walk away feeling that we do not seem to get much accomplished. We have an agenda and a person who records minutes and action items so meeting management is not the problem. Depending on the leader or group members we can get bogged down in discussions, and even when we agree to disagree the issues stay unresolved. We can go over and over a subject and even when I think we have settled on an action, once we leave the meeting everyone acts as if it is still open for discussion. I also sense a lack of team spirit on some of my teams and rather than support I feel like we are in competition. Since I am not the leader I do not know what to do to make these meetings produce results and create a team.

Going in Circles

Dear Going:

You are not alone in your experience. A common complaint I hear is that meetings “are a waste of time” and unproductive. Even though you are not the leader, there are some actions you can take to get better results.

• Ask for the group to develop ground rules prior to the meeting.

• Suggest to the leader the need for people to take on the facilitator role and keep the discussion on track or hire an outside facilitator if possible.

• Ask the leader and group to identify how decisions will be made and how they want to handle issues when the group gets “stuck.”

• Ask the leader if you can revisit your vision to reignite some energy.

• Meet with other members of the team and get their perspective on how they see the meetings and if appropriate get support to approach the leader.

• When you see a discussion going in circles ask a clarifying question such as “What facts are we missing in order to make a decision? What is our process of deciding, What do we need to do to move ahead?”

• Send out an e-mail to members, “Being A Successful Team Member” (this was in my last newsletter and you are free to copy it as long as you list the source – in Brief Newsletter, Consulting & Coaching Solutions, 2008.)

Show up at meetings prepared, open, supportive and non-judgmental.

Listen when others speak and take their ideas into account.

Be willing to negotiate or compromise to meet the goal.

Ensure you are aligned with the team mission and purpose.

Identify your strengths and how you contribute them to the team.

Speak up and provide input. If there is a disagreement be willing to work it out with others; ask for a mediator if necessary.

Do what you promised.

Define “support” and see if you are giving that to others.

Be willing to see that your perspective is only one of many.

Model the behavior you would like to see in other team members.

I know it is frustrating when some of your teams are not as productive or cohesive as you would like. Clearly, a successful team and contributing is important to you. I hope some of these ideas will help improve your team experiences.

Best

Coach Carole

Carole Rehbock is the President and Founder of Consulting & Coaching Solutions. You can reach Carole at carole@rehbocksolutions.com or 510/843-6417.