Do
You Sabotage Teamwork?
Most team leaders support and enjoy the teamwork experience.
But for some, giving up authority and control is a tough transition.
Check
to make sure you
aren’t
clinging to old behaviors that can hurt your team. Following are some subtle
ways a leader can sabotage teamwork: Saving the day. Some managers are so accustomed
to putting out fires that they miss the adrenaline rush of saving a project
at the last minute. They allow
a situation to deteriorate to near failure and justify their actions by saying, "Experience
is the best teacher; they’ll never learn
if I jump in and help them."
Suggestion: If you find yourself rescuing your team again, find out why. Are you withholding information that would help team members do their jobs? Do your people need training to perform their duties more efficiently? Hanging on to a cherished duty. Team leaders often hold on to "fun" tasks, even though their time might be better spent elsewhere.
Example: The team leader loves editing and designing the company newsletter. She discourages team members who try to contribute or learn the layout procedure.
Suggestion: Examine your favorite duties. Would you be more productive if you delegated some of them? If so, start today. Team members will appreciate your sacrifice. And you can move on to more important matters. Maintaining rigid policies. Nothing kills teamwork faster than a fat policy manual.
Suggestion: Create a team policy manual.
Ask team members for input, and explain the reason
behind every rule. If you can’t explain it, throw it out.
Keeping Teams On Track, Linda Moran, Ed Musselwhite and John H. Zenger.
Irwin Professional Publishing, 1333 Burr Ridge Pkwy., Burr Ridge, IL
60521.