Management and Team Work
By GADHISUNU
@GADHISUNU (2162)
India
June 11, 2009 3:16am CST
Management has a lot to do with teamwork. At some level management turns out to be manging people. Manging people to get work done to the best advantage of a firm/company. If one is one's own and there is none other then we need only to mange our time and we would succeed or fail depending on essentially ouyr time management. But when you are heading a team, you need to get the team to be more cohesive and focussed.
Right now I have with me a set of people who are divided into two teams, one is cohesive and harmonious abnd the other has simmering discontent brewing. Since the last few days I am trying to defuse tension, and forging better alliances. It is not that this team is not performing. They are lettingthe flag fly high. But there is that palpable tension that doesn't seem to abate, and I am being pushed to find a way out of the whole thing to create a cogenial atmosphere in this team, er, like replicating the behavior of the other team.
In my previous assignment I had just one team and they were one of the most motivated groups. The motivation level is evidenced by the readiness of our grouop to take on more jobs and do them quickly and efficiently.
To me this is not a very happy situation. All this is happpening because of just one individual not wanting to let go off his control on people, who he apparently considers to be at his beck and call.
1 response
@vanilla_28 (176)
• Malta
11 Jun 09
I would suggest that you personally apprach this person and clarify your situation. He may understand better if you talk one-to-one rather than in front of his other team mates. Although you have to point out that his behaviour is leading to conflicts, you need to be sensitive. Besides, if you see that this indivudaul did not change his attitude and continued to disrupt the team work, you might as well talk it again with him and some other supervisor to resolve the problem. Good luck!
@GADHISUNU (2162)
• India
11 Jun 09
I am talking to him for the past six months. Isn't that giving enough rope? I am telling him of the feelings of his other team mates. After giving him days togetner of pep talk- mind you it is he who comes to visit me in my cabin- not that I call him to give him any dressing down or anything, I do not believe in being harsh to anyone unless thay cross their limits - bringing home to him, what he is missing out, by alienating his team.I am still hopeful of success, but my team members seeming to be wearing thin on patience.
If, in the end this person chnges his attitude, and feels like cooperating more with them rather than antagonizing them, he would be my greatest transformation worked to date. I have hitherto brought people who were considered not worth investing the time in, into the mainstream, by not just counselling, but by almost hand-holding and tutoring- but these were shop labor. Here is a sophisticated person who is being secretive in a competitive spirit fearing being superceded if he parts with his distiguishing knowledge.
In three attempts, I have changed my strategy- all the time I have been acting as his best friend, by helping him out with his parenting problems, by helping him combat his middle age blues, and so on. He takes me for that already- a friend philosopher and guide. The fact is he does deliver the goods. It is not that this team fails. What I am aiming to do is to see him be a good team player.
