LP Gas, May 2010

How to build a great team Approach requires understanding of why some teams work others dont I n the business world we often use sports analogies One of the most overused sports terms is team Its as if we think its fair to compare say the operational nuances of the Green Bay Packers to our propane companys operating team and then glean some satisfyingly meaningful conclusion As with a lot of simple quick analogies the comparisons are poor and we end up with nothing of value to help us run our companies In this column we will address how our companies can operate with the team approach if we understand what a team is why some teams work and why some teams dont work The problem with the sports comparison is that in so many ways the situations that defi ne sports teams and our businesses are very different For example in a team sport the number of members on each team is defi ned by rule say 11 on each side in football The rules of engagement are also well defi ned one point is awarded for each soccer goal Plus the roles are clearly spelled out as to what a team member can and cannot do pitchers pitch hitters hit etc Even team goals are clear cut win In other words measurement of performance is easily identifi ed for both the teams and individuals In the real world of our companies none of this is in place In fact the error that we make is to treat any small group within the company as if it were a team when its nothing more than a small group of employees with no rules or defi nition Yet we expect them to perform like the Yankees Lets start with a breakdown of C O L U M N I S T C A R L HUGHES Situations that defi ne sports teams and our businesses are different what comprises a real team by using this defi nition Any small group of people with complementary skills who are committed to a common purpose for which they hold themselves mutually accountable I highlight the three primary components of what constitutes a team which by the way are present in all sports teams Whats important to understand about this defi nition is that even well formed teams fail Groups of people who attempt to work together as a team but who do not meet all of the criteria will likely fail before they begin Why teams fail So as you form your company team whether it is the management team an operational team or a project team consider the following reasons why it will likely not work 1 It is not clear who is on the team 2 The direction of the team is not clear 3 The boundaries of authority and scope were not set Further as you form a team some common misconceptions about teams are 1 Teams must be in great harmony It is not important that the team is quite happy together whats important is that everyone on the team works together What is important too are the results not the mood of the team in the process It is how the members feel after the season thats more important than how they feel before the season 2 Teams get comfortable over time and lose their effectiveness Just the reverse is true Newness is a liability 3 Improving personal skills helps to improve teams Training for collaboration and group problem solving is more valuable than individual behavioral training 4 Creating a team is always better than not Often teams that are formed in an ill defi ned manner with little charge or purpose end up being highly ineffective or a waste The great ones Finally in addition to common purpose complementary skills and mutual accountability all great teams have the following characteristics 1 They are small in number The rule is that functionality of a team is inversely proportional to its size because the larger the group the greater the degree of diffi culty interacting and making decisions 2 The members stay together for long periods of time 3 Each team must have a leader with courage 4 The team needs a clear path to honest frank discussion This can be from the leader or from an ordinary member who speaks openly and who is the voice of an opposing opinion LPG Carl Hughes is senior vice president of business development for Inergy LP He can be reached at Chughes@ InergyServices com or 816 842 8181 Matters Business 32 LPGas May 2010 www LPGasmagazine com