toastmasters.org

When does a group become a team? 

Our Twitter #careerchat focused on how team-building activities can foster teamwork in the office and help the department prosper. But for team-building efforts to succeed, you really need to consider team makeup: Make sure the activity suits the people as much as the purpose.

Quick takeaways from the chat:

• Teamwork is about putting aside differences, learning from others and focusing on the company’s goals, not just your own projects.
• Team building shows employees you value your most important resource: Them.
• Make sure the team-building activity is appropriate for everyone. It’s more important to get employees talking to each other than trying to make everyone play kickball or go on a ropes course.
• Include activities to celebrate diversity. Exploring experiences, backgrounds and cultures will help the team view challenges differently and solve problems better.

Resources:

• Turning a Group of Individuals Into a Team
• Turn Your Work Group Into a Team
• The Impact of Corporate Activity Attendance
• 10 Quick and Easy Team Building Exercises
• What Makes Teams Smart? Read the MIT SMR review.

Special thanks to @souzifrancis, @EmilieMeck, @SaleStart, @talentculture, @BillBoorman, @laurenkgray, @ShanaDouglas, @Tina_J_Wagner, @myFootpath, @zachhisert, @buona_vita, @CDonnet and @jendiva1.

Job seeker? Just want to get ahead in your career?

Join our Twitter #careerchat Tuesdays @ 12 PM CT to talk about everything from friending your boss on Facebook to personal branding to how to get a call back from recruiter.

How to join: Go to Tweetchat.com and follow the hashtag “careerchat” at noon CT every Tuesday!

Adapted from my post on MyPath.com.