If you’ve read today’s business news, you will see that the Dutch-based supermarket group Ahold has agreed to merge with Belgium’s Delhaize in a deal that could create one of the world’s largest retailers. Together, the two companies would create a group with more than 6,500 stores in the US and Europe. Their combined sales last year totalled €54.1bn (£38.5bn). The merger would create the sixth largest food retailer in the US, where Ahold operates Stop & Shop and Giant, with Delhaize owning Hannaford and Food Lion.
For me, the story is a great example of teamwork and collaboration. It couldn’t have happened without it! And that teamwork will be all the more important when the deal is completed in 2016 and the retail giants operate as one.
To achieve great things, you need a great team, regardless of the size of your business. Whatever your goal or project you need to add value and invest in your team so the end product benefits from more ideas, resources and perspectives.
So with this in mind, here are 5 things for effective teamwork, regardless of your business size, type or sector:-
1. The big picture
The goal is more important than the role.
Members must be willing to lower their roles and personal agendas to support the team vision.
By seeing the big picture and effectively communicating that vision to the team, providing the needed resources, and hiring the right players, leaders or managers, can create a more unified team.
2. The Chain
The strength of the team is impacted by its weakest link. When a weak link remains in the team the stronger members of the team identify the weak one, end up having to help them, come to resent them, become less effective and ultimately question their leader’s ability.
Team mates must be able to count on each other when it really counts.
If you integrity unquestionable? Do you perform you work with excellence? Are you dedicated to the team’s success? Can people depend on you? Do you actions bring the team together or rip it apart?
3. The Compass
A team that embraces a vision becomes focused, energised and confident.
It knows where it’s headed and why it’s going there. A team should examine its Moral, Intuitive, Historical, Directional, Strategic and Visionary Compasses.
Does the business practise with integrity? Do members stay? Does the team make positive use of anything contributed by previous teams in the organisation? Does the strategy serve the vision? Is there a long-range vision to keep the team from being frustrated by short-range failures?
4. Communication
Interaction fuels action.
Effective teams have team members who are constantly talking and listening to each other. From leader to team, team to leader, and among teammates, there should be consistency, clarity and courtesy.
People should be able to disagree openly but with respect.
Between the team and the public, responsiveness and openness is key.
5. The Leader
The difference between two equally talented teams is leadership. A good leader can bring a team to success, provided values, work ethic and vision are in place.
The Myth of the Head Table is the belief that on a team, one person is always in charge in every situation.
Understand that in particular situations, maybe another person would be best suited to leading the team.
The Myth of the Round Table is the belief that everyone is equal, which is not true. The person with greater skill, experience, and productivity in a given area, is more important to the team in that area. Compensate where it is due.
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