How to Build Teamwork Within Your Organization

The keynote speaker at the NAHB Management Team Conference in Orlando, Fla., was Mark Sanborn of Sanborn & Associates Inc.

At the conference, Sanborn noted that there are four prerequisites before teamwork can be developed within an organization:

1. Everyone within the organization must know what needs to be done. This, Sanborn said, means creating a Vision (where you are going), a Mission (why you are going there), Values (how you are going to get there), Goals (mile markers for the journey) and Expectations (results). It also requires communication, feedback and the sharing of success stories.

2. Everyone has to be able to do it (which is a matter of training).

3. Everyone must be willing to do it (which requires cooperation). In most companies, teamwork is neither taught nor rewarded. Ask yourself, what percentage of your compensation packages are based on teamwork?

4. Finally, there must be no barriers that prevent teamwork.

Sanborn advises: Recruit and hire good team members. Remember, you can’t teach attitude, cooperation, energy or service ethic. Then, create the environment for people to grow through education, communication and motivation.

Roy Diez is Associate Publisher & Director of Editorial for Professional Builder. Please e-mail him with questions of comments on his column.