Team Building and Company Culture Change

How do you revive high-performance teamwork and an enviable culture where people get excited to come to work?

Are you struggling against demoralized work teams? Do the challenges or opportunities you face require more of a winning attitude? As your group has been growing, are people tripping over each other and feeling less excited to get things done?

Where did the fun go?

It may be time for some conversations about the teamwork and culture in your company. I'm not talking about going out on a ropes course and falling into each others arms. That produces a momentary burst of camaraderie, but doesn't change the work habits that interfere with high performance collaboration.

When people ask for "team building" what has proven to be more effective is team coaching. The team coaching approach to team building invites people to look at what's working, what's missing, what's next and how to INTEGRATE and reinforce changes in the way people communicate and work with each other to get work done and still have fun.

Frequently asked Team Building / Team Coaching questions:

What if the things this company needs to change are too many to list and too expensive to implement?

- It's like the old joke. If you hunted an elephant, how would you eat it? The answer is one bite at a time. However, by being willing to discuss changes and improvements your people want the company to make, you can acknowledge which ones will be imminent, which ones will occur later in the year, and which ones may be considered (and maybe not implemented) until after a year. By prioritizing the response, you set yourself up for success, but more importantly, people IMMEDIATELY appreciate being given the chance to provide input and have some suggestions honored.

What about the problem child? Is there an individual who is at the core of the drama or dysfunction in the company?

- That can be addressed right away or as it becomes clear. Usually that person is resistant at first to coaching for change. If we align a person's goals and ambitions with the changes that person has to make, he or she usually gets motivated and does the work. If they are not willing to try, then you have to decide how far to offer support before you replace the person as you have the right (and responsibility) to do. It's never easy to fire a valuable person for not being a team player, but it is costlier to the company at large to allow them to drain the team of energy. If you at least give them a chance to change and they don't, you can sleep with a clean conscious

What if our people are doing great, but the other team, client or joint venture partner is the cause of the problem?

- Sometimes the "team" extends beyond your own company's payroll. The process can and has been extended to include people from client or partner companies, and that conversation often leads dramatic business benefits and other heartwarming returns.

I want you to know how much I appreciate your ongoing assistance. As you know, my typical day involves responding to hundreds of demands for my attention from clients, staff, auctions, dealers, museums, etc. The challenge has been to take care of that, while spending a little time developing the business further. Our discussions have certainly helped me to focus on prioritization and long–term planning. I can definitely see your advice seeping into my decision making process.
At the same time, the sessions with you and my staff are helping my entire staff become more productive, and your recruiting advice seems to be paying off.
Most of all, I appreciate your availability as a reliable sounding board. You think and act like a partner, which is the highest compliment I can give. Feel free to share this, or to use me as a reference.

Best regards,

Seth Kaller

Visit www.sethkaller.net to see "Turning Points: Documents that Shaped America"

If you want to find out specifically how to implement a team coaching or culture change program that is relevant to your unique situation, contact me directly at 877-700-2653 or e-mail jonathan@jfcoach.com and we can discuss your challenges and explore the options.

Looking forward,

Bio:

Jonathan Flaks, M.C.C.  is an Executive Coach, Speaker and Trainer who specializes in helping business leaders and teams create working strategies for extraordinary results.   He is the author of "Who Are You, Inc., - Bring Out Your Best In Business."      With a 20-year business background, Jonathan has reached individuals and groups from companies like Disney, IBM, BMG Entertainment, KPMG, Honeywell and many entrepreneurial endeavors. 

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Teamwork and Company Culture - Contact

If you would like to discuss your situation, please call 877-700-BOLD (2653), or e-mail jonathan@jfcoach.com, or complete the following form (* required fields):