It is not necessary to hire the team-building experts to build an effective team to deliver a project. What is required is to build a team spirit, to be united in pursuing a single goal and to gain the commitment of the team members.

The secret to effective team-building skills is to display leadership qualities. Enthusiasm plays a part. A good project manager leads by example, helping to share his or her own enthusiasm with the team.

Project inception is always a good time to get a team spirit started. A workshop that includes all the key team members helps to draw the team together. It is time to work out the various tasks and milestones of the project. This is best achieved through the involvement of the team itself. Allow the members full participation in defining the tasks, the milestones and who will be responsible for what. Naturally, it is necessary to match the tasks to to skills, but there is often space for flexibility.

A team is more than just a collection of individuals. Always remember that

> Together

> Everyone

> Achieves

> More

A team spirit is all very well at project inception, but it is necessary to maintain the team spirit and team work throughout the project. Frequent workshops involving all key players can help. Ensure that everyone is involved from beginning through to the end. It is important to ensure that the team members engage with each other as a team.

Many companies have taken the route of employing team-building experts. Team members spend a day, perhaps a weekend together on a range of activities from fire-walking to mountain climbing to white-river rafting. Some have used the opportunity as a hunting trip. Others stage mock wars. While these activities are enjoyable and get the team out of the work environment, their effectiveness as a tool to build a strong team is questionable.

A strong and united team is build at work. It is built by fostering open communications and frequent interactions. It is strengthened by stressing the importance of achieving the common goal. The milestones must be met and the project completed.

Stressing these goals and objectives is important. When all the team are feeling under pressure and stressed, take them out for a team lunch. The lunch allows everyone to let down their hair, to voice their fears and expectations and to become a little closer to each other.

Team building is no more than getting everyone united behind the goal. Build on team pride. Mark each milestone with a celebration. Get the team together and hand out gifts and awards. Recognition is probably the most important reward any team member can receive.

Learn more about this author, Barry Marcus.
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