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Why Teams Fail

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Why Teams Fail
Building a Productive and Collaborative Team

Summary
• • • • • • • Set realistic expectations. Gain commitment to the objectives. Establish ground rules for your team (team norms). Consider team member’s ideas as valuable. Encourage listening and brainstorming amongst the team. Put the ownership on the team members; provide the team with enough freedom and empowerment. Support the team’s decision. Build trust and reinforce the team’s sense of purpose.

Information You Need to Know:
A team’s success depends on realistic expectations being set from the beginning. Make sure everyone is aware of why the team exists; this includes external partners, as well. However, you should not expect the team to perform outstanding from the beginning. Team formation takes time and working with the team to establish ground rules will be extremely beneficial. In establishing ground rules, allow the team members the opportunity to voice their opinion and you should also provide your thoughts. As the team journeys from being a group of strangers to becoming united team with a common goal you should anticipate the following recognizable stages: Forming, Storming, Norming and Performing. If you foster an environment where the team members feel valued and empowered you are likely to see a positive outcome. By empowering the team, this helps employees own their work and take responsibility for their results. Provide the team guidance, but allow them the opportunity to make decisions and support their decisions. Do not forget to continue to remind individuals why the team exists, reflect on what the team has accomplished and recognize them for their efforts.

Peer Insight:
We want to hear from you. Do you have any suggestions on how to reward and/or recognize employees? Do you have any tips or best practice ideas? Please share your ideas with ITA at ITABestPractices@mail.doc.gov At this time there are no best practices from ITA Leaders.

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