Tips for Building Successful Teams

Here are some great tips for working smoothly in teams (and getting past that pesky Storming phase!):

• Assign roles and tasks to make sure each team member has something to do and that everyone participates in achieving the overall goal.
• Generate a plan: Where are you today? Where do you want to be tomorrow? How are you going to get there?
• Keep the team small: Small teams have better communication, and it's easier to make sure everyone stays on task.
• Know the team norms: Teams will establish acceptable and unacceptable behavior. It's important for every team member to be aware of these guides and know the consequences for unacceptable behavior.
• Emphasize common characteristics and interests to foster team unity.
• Praise and compliment your team members for jobs well done.
• And remember, make sure to have FUN!

Get more tips on how to build successful teams here at KnowledgeCity.com, plus enjoy three FREE video tutorials on The Art of Team Building!

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The Five Phases of Teams

Many of us have experienced working in teams—in fact, when you consider playing games as a child, creating group presentations in school, or collaborating on the job, all of us have been a part of a team at one time or another.

When I think of the process a team goes through, I immediately think of three stages:

1. Assembling the team
2. Working together on the project
3. Disbanding once the project is finished

But did you know that there are actually five phases that teams go through? That may sound like a lot, but each phase is important and moves the team forward towards becoming a strong, successful unit.

The five phases are:

1. Forming: Where the team is created—people may be excited or anxious about the upcoming task.

2. Storming: I’m sure many of us have experienced this stage—this is where the team deals with conflict, confrontation, defensiveness, and competition. Unfortunately, many teams never get past this phase!

3. Norming: Where the team really develops a sense of unity and each person is able to express criticism constructively (sounds ideal, doesn’t it?).

4. Performing: Here, the team is able to collaborate productively. Members are satisfied with the team’s progress and have the ability to work through problems. Go Team!

5. Adjourning: Where we bid farewell to our team. Hopefully, you will have pride in your team’s success as you say goodbye.

For more insights on teams, and for an in-depth look at each of these phases, check out our exciting new course on The Art of Team Building and enjoy three FREE video tutorials to get you started towards building a successful team.

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Soft Skills Training: 3 Tips to Improve Soft Skills

Like anything else, soft skills can be learned. The importance of soft skills training cannot be stressed enough. The interpersonal skills you gain throughout life will not only equip you to excel in your professional life, but also in your personal life. Here are three simple ways to improve your soft skills:

Take communication skills courses—Soft skills training courses are mixing technology with areas such as effective written/verbal communication, teamwork, cultural understanding, and psychology. For example, there are speech classes, writing classes to boost your communication skills. Look for conflict resolution or “leadership skill” courses either online or at your local community college.

[Learn more about in-demand interpersonal skills]

Seek mentors—Mentors is another form of teamwork training. Approach potential mentors with the specific skills set you wish to learn from in a friendly, professional way. Ask them which effective soft skills got them ahead in their careers. Compliment that person with a specific example in which you've seen him or her practice that skill.

Volunteer—Brush up on many essential skills through volunteering (i.e. teamwork, decision-making strategies, management, communication skills, reporting, writing, public speaking etc.) Not only are you communication skills training, but a high profile volunteer work on your resume provides you with an opportunity to explain the knowledge and skills acquired to your potential employer.

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Soft Skills Training: 5 Most in Demand Interpersonal Skills

The importance of soft skills training should not be overlooked because to move ahead in your career, you need more than technical qualifications. Yes, technical skills may get you an interview, but it’s really your soft skills, also known as interpersonal skills, that land you the job. It’s also your soft skills that help you keep your job too. Here are six in demand “soft skill training” asked next to the demands of technical qualifications:

Communication Skills—Interviewers prefer job applicants with communication skills training. This does not mean they are looking for applicants who speaks or writes well specifically, but someone who can express themselves. For example, someone who can write a coherent memo, the ability to persuade others with a presentation, or just the ability to calmly explain to team members what he/she needs and wants.

Teamwork—Effective productivity in an organization depends on the constructive teamwork and collaboration of its workers. Teamwork training is a crucial desired soft skill that interviewers are looking for in candidates, someone who can play and work well with others. Companies look for someone who can take charge when the occasion calls for it, be a good follower, monitor the progress of a project, meet deadlines, work well with others across the company to achieve a common goal etc.

[More about how to learn soft skills]

Problem solving—Have you ever wondered why most interviewers ask you the question, “How did you turn a negative situation into a positive one?” This question is asked specifically to gauge the success of your assertiveness training. Be prepared for this question in any interview with several examples of what you did, how you approached a situation, how you involved others, and what the outcome was.

Critical observation— No interpersonal skills training would be complete without learning about the importance of critical observation. It’s not enough to just collect data and manipulate it, you must also have the ability to digest, analyze, and interpret the information. You should be asking yourself when viewing important facts, how does the data affect the company as a whole?

Conflict resolution—Ability to resolve a conflict should also be included in your soft skill training. Your ability to persuade, to negotiate, and resolve a conflict is momentous for your career advancement. Be ready to show your conflict resolution skills and when the time calls for it, to negotiate win-win solutions to serve the best interest of the company and individuals involved.

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