Teambuilding is a subject about which I am passionate. Many groups of people call themselves teams but there is an enormous difference between this type of team and a true team that delivers outstanding results.

One of the main reasons for this is that many Managers do not invest time in developing their people into a team. To build a team, time must be invested in putting in some key building blocks which are:-

• Agreed Purpose - what the team is here to do                                            
• Shared Values - what are the values that the team share & guide their behaviour
• Clear Goals - what the team will achieve in the short / medium term
• Individual Accountability - what the team members individually must deliver
• Communication - how the team will communicate to each other
• Performance Management - how the team will judge team & individual performance

All of the above are best done with the team & then driven by the leader but cannot be done without investing time.

Teambuilding programmes can help teams to put in the building blocks. However, programmes often fail because they are not connected to the real life issues. To build a team the leader and facilitator (which may be one or two people) must follow the teambuilding cycle:-

                  Stage 1:      Diagnosis

                  Stage 2:      Purpose

                  Stage 3:      Process

                  Stage 4:      Communication

                  Stege 5:      Implementation

                  Stage 6:      Evaluation

The most important stage is Stage 2 the purpose stage provided it is based on an effective diagnosis. Most people want to concentrate on process but process is a waste of time unless it is appropriate to deliver the purpose.

In the team building events I have listed the processes I have used that are most effective.