Laying the Foundation

If the tools and techniques to build morale , pride , and spirit are to be effective, a two-part foundation must be present. These two components are essential in building any team. If they are not part of the teams culture, the efforts suggested here would have only limited success. The leader plays a key role in establishing both of these components , and ideally so does the team.

The first component is an easily understood and routinely emphasized vision, mission, and goals. The process of casting and selling a vision is viewed as one of the most important actions any leader can take in any setting. Team involvement at this stage provides an excellent opportunity for a meaningful shared experience. The vision, mission, and goals should be written, constantly reinforced by leadership, and clearly understood by every member. Many teams have a vision, mission, and goals, but because they are never emphasized, it is as if they do not exist. Having a clear vision, mission, and goals

• Provides the reason why the team exists and what it is expected to achieve

• Provides a focus toward which all efforts are directed

• Increases efficiency and productivity through the reduction of wasted time, effort, and resources on secondary issues

• Empowers employees

• Promotes cooperation and reduces friction among employees

• Tends to eliminate employees who dont support the stated vision

The second component is a uniform and clear set of operating rules, standards of performance, values, norms, boundaries, and conventions of behavior. Involving the team in establishing these rules provides another excellent opportunity for a meaningful shared experience. These rules should be written, constantly reinforced by leadership, clearly understood by every member, and consistent with the vision. Many times teams have these rules and standards, but they are not highlighted. As with an on paper only vision, if they are not emphasized or well known by all the members , it is as if they do not exist. Having clear operating rules, standards, and values

• Provides clarity by acquainting team members with what is important to their job functions and what is not

• Endorses and reinforces the expected and ethical way of doing business

• Eliminates ambiguity and confusion by providing operating borders and restrictions

• Makes it simpler to integrate new members into the team

• Provides operating red, yellow, and green lights regarding what to do and what not to do within the culture of the team as well as the organization

• Produces a quiet subordination of individual members to and for the greater good of the team