Contents
Special Thanks to the Technical Reviewer
Part 1Teams: Gimmicks, Fads, or the Real Stuff?
Chapter 1 What’s So New About Teams?
Teams or Work Groups—What’s the Big Difference?
Team Leaders: Rethink Your Roles
Team Members: Rethink Your Roles
What It Takes to Be a Great Team Member
Chapter 2 The Barriers to Team Success
Flying by the Seat of the Pants
“My teammates don’t pull their loads.”
“I’m not paid to make decisions.”
Poor Rapport Among Team Members
Poor Recognition and Rewards Programs
Chapter 3 Foundation for Team Success
Overcoming Resistance to Teams
Getting Top Management’s Support
The Components of a Good Team Goal
Getting Support for the Process
Part 2Molding a Group Into a Working Team
Chapter 4 Communication: The Lifeblood of Team Success
The Team That Talks Together Walks Together
Communications: A Two-Way Radio
Listening: More Than Just Hearing
Five Strategies to Make You a Better Listener
You Think You’re Communicating—But Are You?
Prejudices and Biases—Yours and Theirs
Be Aware of Your Emotional State
Channels: The Static Between Sender and Receiver
Chapter 5 Say It Right— Write It Right
When the Communication Is in Writing
Watch Your Grammar and Spelling
Make Your E-mail Exciting, Expressive, Engaging
E-mail vs. Phone Calls or Visits
A Dozen E-mail Do’s and Don’ts
Writing Reports That Hit the Mark
Before You Write a Single Word
Chapter 6 Meetings: Time-Wasters or Productivity Tool?
Set the Stage for Successful Sessions
Encourage All Members, Even the Shyest, to Participate
Keep Blabbermouths from Dominating
“You’re wrong!” Dealing with Dissidents
Get Questions from Team Members
Get the Most out of Meetings You Attend
When You Attend Outside Meetings
Chapter 7 Who’s Gonna Do the Work?
You Can’t Do It All by Yourself
Delegating to the Right Team Members
Control Points: Your Safeguard
Give Team Members the Tools and Authority
Chapter 8 Be a Leader, Be a Coach
Every Team Member Is a Potential Leader
What Kind of a Leader Are You?
Helping Team Members Take Charge of Their Jobs
Ten Tips for Coaching Individual Team Members
Mentoring: The Two-Sided Training Experience
Mentor, Mentor, Who’s the Mentor?
Chapter 9 Your Team Is Not Alone
Your Niche in the Company Structure
Help the Team Grow, Help Yourself Grow
Internal Customers and Suppliers
Project Management: A Team Challenge
Project Teams Are Interdepartmental
Joint Ventures: Interteam Collaboration
Part 3Can’t We All Just Get Along?
Chapter 10 Overcoming Team Discord
Members Who Don’t Carry Their Loads
Team Members Who Can’t Keep Their Cool
“There’s just too much work to do.”
When the Pressure Gets Too Great
Make the Workplace User-Friendly
Chapter 11 Maintaining Harmony Within the Team
Creating a Collaborative Atmosphere
The Team Leader Conducts the Band
When Members Disagree About the Work
When Team Members Can’t Get Along
When the Grievance Is Against the Team Leader
Getting the Authority to Correct a Problem
When Personal Problems Interfere with Performance
When the Problem’s Too Tough to Handle
Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)
Chapter 12 Measuring Performance
Individual vs. Team Appraisals
Setting Standards for Individual Appraisals
Setting Standards for Team Appraisals
Types of Performance Assessments
Check the Box: The Trait System
Pros and Cons of Peer Evaluations
Discussing Performance with Team Members
Ten Tips for Reviewing Performance
Chapter 13 When Team Members Don’t Make the Grade
When the Team Signals Problems
When the Problem Is Technical Competence
When the Problem Lies Within the Entire Team
Surviving Downsizing: Tips for Team Members
Chapter 15 Power, Power. Who’s Got the Power?
Who’s Got the Power? Who Gets the Power?
Ideas: The Whole Team Contributes
“Who needs power? I’m happy just doing my job.”
When the Leader’s Role Changes
Making Empowerment Work in the Team
Full Support of Top Management
Provide Full Information to the Team
Chapter 16 Different Strokes for Different Folks
Individual vs. Team Motivation
Giving Recognition to Individuals
Praise Members’ Accomplishments
Make Your Team Self-Motivating
Train the Team to Work Together
Create an Enthusiastic Environment
Help the Team Collaboratively Set Goals
Check Your Goal-Setting Practices
Money: A Satisfier, Not a Motivator
Different Needs at Different Times
Special Awards for Special Achievements
Teams That Play Together Stay Together
Part 5Staffing the Team—And Getting It Going
Chapter 18 Transforming a Work Group Into a Team
Overcoming Members’ Resistance to Change
Breaking Out of the Comfort Zone
Skepticism About Team Effectiveness
Change the Team Member’s Self-Image
Provide the Team with Tools and Help Needed
Chapter 19 When the Team Is Brand-New
Establish Criteria for Members
Personal Characteristics Required
Select Members from Within the Company
Questions to Ask Prospective Team Members
Questions to Ask Prospect’s Current or Past Leaders
Members: Get Started on the Right Foot
Chapter 20 Recruiting Candidates from Outside the Company
When Hiring Outsiders Is Advantageous
Work with the Human Resources Department
The Laws That Affect Employment
“I didn’t know I couldn’t ask that.”
Bona Fide Occupational Qualifications (BFOQs)
Avoiding Age Discrimination Problems
Chapter 21 Separating the Wheat from the Chaff
Prescreening Out-of-Town Applicants
Give the Applicant Information About the Job
Chapter 22 Making the Hiring Decision
Bring Team Members Into the Act
Who Else Should Interview the Prospect?
Other Approaches to Multiple Interviewing
Checking Applicant’s Background
Sending a Letter or E-mail Request
Effective Telephone Reference Checks
Types of Applicant Screening Tests
The Candidate Comparison Worksheet
Chapter 23 Honing the Team Members’ Skills
Setting Up an Orientation Program
What Makes a Good Orientation Program?
Formal and Informal Training Programs
Tips for Picking the Right Training Organization
Overcoming Resistance to Training
Training Manuals—Gobbledygook or the Real Stuff?
Enhancing the Effectiveness of Teams
“Okay, I’ve learned my colleague’s job, but when will I do it?”
Part 6Special Teams for Special Purposes
Chapter 24 The Self-Directed Team
The Team with No Permanent Leader
Self-Direction Requires Self-Motivation
Commit Yourself to Achievement
Getting the Self-Directed Team Underway
Chapter 25 Cross-Functional Teams
Forming Teams for Special Projects
Barriers to Cross-Functional Teams
Chapter 26 When Team Members Are in Remote Locations
Dealing with Members Located at Other Sites
Tips for Members Who Choose to Telecommute
Keeping Remote Members in the Loop
Working at Home Isn’t for Everyone
Resolving Conflicts Among Members
Appendix A Publications with Articles on Team Management
Appendix B Associations Dealing with Team Management and Human Resources