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110 Just Promoted!

had strengthened personal working relationships, and they had addressed
most of the issues they could affect. As they continued to meet, it became
increasingly apparent that their organization’s real problems were originating
from the outside—inadequate resources, poor quality from their suppliers,
and inefficiencies in their support organizations. They were powerless to
improve these problem areas, and the team retreats only served to remind
them of their powerlessness and their unmet expectations.
The major benefits that should be touted from the beginning of the process
are better group and individual performance, ease of collaboration and com-
munication, the pride of being part of a winning team, and preparation for
future challenges.
To a large extent, organizational improvement is gained through role and
goal clarification, better communication, and teamwork. Keep a realistic per-
spective. Team building will improve the things you can control, but you can’t
control everything. Here are typical responses that we have heard from indi-
viduals who have been involved in team building:

“We understand each other’s roles better.”
“Our purpose, goal, and direction are clearer.”
“We are clearer with one another. Most important, we learned how to lis-
ten to each other better.”
“I realize that my success is dependent on our success.”
“I realize the importance of group process, not only for our team but in
my interaction with my customers.”
“We realized that there are many alternatives, not just one right answer.”
“My eyes really were opened around the issue of conflict. The principle
of win-win problem solving is now a part of me.”
“We realized that teamwork helps us to compete better.”
“I am more accepting of others’ points of view.”
“We learned not only to observe surface behavior but to see and hear
several levels down.”

7. A time investment must be made. Whether it is one meeting, a series of
sessions, or an off-site retreat, people should think of the effort as an impor-
tant investment in the organization’s health. This is no trivial expenditure of
time, effort, or money. It is not a holiday. Rather, it is important to leading
your organization.