|
Re: Team Bonding
Libby couldn't be more right when indicating that the cultural tone is set by a team's teachers/coaches/mentors. The team I mentor is very fortunate to have a teacher/coach (Coach Norm) who combines his past team building experience from student athletics and mentor-brought business culture. We strive to increase the openness of the team, build mutual trust, and embrace (rather than avoid) conflict. Our T/C/Ms strive to serve as the behavioral template for the students to follow and embrace. If the T/C/Ms bring baggage, that is what the students learn.
I have no idea of the OP's background, but when it comes to team culture, organizational behaviors, and leadership qualities, I've almost never failed when recommending that T/C/Ms read the following:
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable by Patrick Lencioni
and
The Four Obsessions of an Extraordinary Executive: A Leadership Fable
The beauty of Lencioni's style is the books aren't presented in a dry, boring manner like some business books. Lencioni creates a fable motif around which his story's characters explore the ideas he presents. Common reactions, objections, and misunderstandings are handled in the fable's storyline. Moreover, they're very quick to read. I've plowed through one of his books in as little as 3 hours, and I read slowly. Perfect for the last couple of weeks before school starts!
I'd read both (and more), but recommend reading Four Obsessions first for the lead coach/mentor/teacher of a team. I'd have all mentors read Five Dysfunctions.
I believe teams bond much closer when mutual trust is increased as the students no longer fear the natural conflict they will experience with each other during a FIRST season and beyond. The example our T/C/Ms, particularly at the start of a season, sets the tone for the team. When you can get the students to understand that open (and respectful) disagreement with each other is a necessary thing to advance the team, and they have an example showing them how it is done, their level of interaction and communications increases.
|