Every team has its problems and opportunities for improvement. Building the team starts with open, honest communicatiion. Communicating is the most important thing that anyone will ever do in life. This is not a gripe session on what is wrong. It is a team "workshop" on what is right and how to build on the team's collective experience and knowledge.  

The Team Workshop session begins with the team leader explaining the purpose of getting together and the expected outcome of the meeting (ideas and projects that will improve team performance).  The leader is a facilitator (not a dictator) who guides the group through the process.

 

2. Respect for whoever is speaking (do not interrupt; give person complete attention).

3. All questions and comments welcome. These are valid feelings.

4. Stay on time and on subject. 

5. Everyone needs to participate, and no one should monopolize the meeting.

6. State opinions without emotion or ego. The purpose is sharing of honest thoughts in order to improve.

7. Do not get defensive.

 

The ideas and information that you want from the group:

1. What aspects of the team are good?

2. What aspects could use improvement?

3. How can these be improved ( concrete, actionable items)? Narrow this down to three or less-- or they won't get done.

 

If your team is larger than 5 people, have them break into small discussion groups. This allows everyone to talk more freely. The information is then shared with the entire group.

 

The action ideas need to be summarized and if possible, delegated. People will be responsible for reporting on the progress of these items at the next meeting. This helps to insure that they will happen. There are some items that management may need to consider and/or bless before they can actually occur. It is important for management to acknowledge these and keep participants notified of the progress or decisions made about these.