Leadership and Teamwork

Great teamwork and great leadership are not mutually exclusive. To build better teamwork, the leader should engage in these strategies:

To Build Ownership-Seek input in vision, mission, and strategic objective creation. Ask the team what they think about the future.

To Build Accountability- Describe the task, objective, or project and the associated deadlines and restraints. Allow the team to build the necessary methods and ways to accomplish the task. Do not allow team members to blame others or outside circumstances for setbacks and require team members to share credit with others involved.

To Build Participation-Ask for input from all team members. Use aggressive methods of participation that requires input from everyone. Avoid using passive methods or relying on the same, select few team members for information and participation. Require team members work with each other and with others they normally do not work with.

To Build Trust-Provide trust and trust team members.

To Build Respect-Respect team members, roles they perform, and the contributions they make. Listen to team members. Provide respect.