Daniel Robin & Associates
Making Workplaces Work Better
Team-Building Tools for Effective Groups
Leading team efforts and working successfully with group dynamics is an art form. Here are several toolkits that will help improve your artistry and ability to achieve group goals, available through this Website.
1. Team builders’ Toolkit. This brief (12-page) toolkit is available for $5.95 per copy (plus $5 S&H) to qualified team leaders, managers, supervisors, trainers, and human resource professionals. Minimum order is 10 copies. It provides a package of printed resources for improving collaboration and team effectiveness in the workplace, addressing topics such as
- Setting groundrules and expectations
- How to brainstorm; different types of brainstorming
- Leading change: how to get from goals to lasting agreements
- How to quickly handle differences of opinion, build consensus
- Reminders to make sure that listening is based on facts, not just interpretations
2. Workshops and Seminars. We provide "train the trainer" and team leadership courses you can arrange to bring in house. Brief presentations, video showcase, or face-to-face interviews can be conducted to answer any questions and find out if these programs will meet your needs. Click on COURSE CATALOG for course descriptions.
3. Peer Coaching is the #1 tool for effective teamwork and collaboration. Click on MASTERING PEOPLE SKILLS (also linked from the site homepage), and select the first skill on this list, "COACHING."
4. Article: The Qualities of Effective Teams -- the latest research in group dynamics has shown that there are five essential (and invisible) qualities to effective teamwork. They are
- Safety – the "absence of threat" – demonstrating healthy conflict resolution techniques, patterns of health assertiveness (no passive-aggressiveness), clear groundrules, structures, and agreements help increase trust and provide a sense of safety)
- Participation – involve all members of the group or team; invite participation, don’t demand it.
- Spontaneity and fun – the facilitator must be flexible enough to move with the group’s interests without getting distracted by side issues. We use techniques such as setting up a "parking lot" to record tangents, encouraging (rather than resisting) so-called negative emotions, and setting a light-hearted tone
- Effectiveness – Making sure we accomplish what we set out to do, that we can reach the goals the team sets, and individuals take responsibility for their part
- Recognition – Helping members of the group receive recognition for their contributions and accomplishments encourages and motivates. Recognition must be balanced with feedback about commitments made but not kept.
5. Article: Meeting Expectations -- some of the top mistakes meeting leaders and organizers make -- and how to avoid them.
For examples of our past success with complex, large group facilitation and mediation, click here
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