Team Building

Surveys consistently show that lack of trust in management is one of the main reasons employees disengage from their work and seek jobs elsewhere. Here are 10 ways managers can work to earn trust from their employees.

No manager enjoys having “the talk” with employees. But ignoring an employee's poor performance won't make the problem go away; it'll only make things worse.

You want your project team to spring into action, so you tell them what you want and when you want it. Bad idea.

Meshing diverse working styles and personalities harmoniously on a team can be tricky. It takes time to build the right team for the job. But it isn't just about picking the right people.

When batting around ideas with a colleague, start by talking about the past rather than the future. Share personal anecdotes, compare notes and see if your experiences align. Once you establish that you’re like-minded, you can build on that common bond to brainstorm.

You see it in business, sports and government: Almost everyone acknowledges that an organization’s culture is essential to its success. To help you see your team’s cultural value proposition in practical terms, break it down into these four practices.

Suggest a team-building exercise and employees may groan. However, here are two activities that even your most cynical employees will find valuable.

Abandoning the “aces in their places” strategy where individuals were limited to specialized roles, restaurant manager Robert Conrad enabled everyone to learn from each other and become proficient in a wider range of jobs.

Here’s an easy way to make your team come together: Mobilize everyone to donate time and energy to improve their community.

Managers can bring the most intelligent, creative people to their departments, but if the employees aren’t able to work as a team, the department’s productivity will suffer. If your team isn’t firing on all cylinders, it’s important to identify the reasons why … and what you can do to overcome the dysfunction.

During their first game together on October 12, 1979, legendary star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and dazzling rookie Magic Johnson weren’t sure what to expect from each other. But they found out soon enough.

When the odds are stacked against your team, you need everyone to pull together if you stand a chance of hitting your goals. Follow this advice to rally your team.

The Chicago Cubs’ new Wrigley Field clubhouse is unlike any other in major league baseball because it’s a circle. The unusual shape promotes equality and collaboration.

Theo Epstein is a baseball legend—and he’s only 43 years old. He recruited the right mix of players so that two storied franchises, the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs, could win the World Series after long droughts. Assembling these winning teams did not happen by accident.

When Graham Henry became head coach of New Zealand’s national rugby team in 2004, he knew he faced long odds. The once-great rugby powerhouse—perhaps the most successful sports team ever—was in a rut.

Which employees should you be fighting to keep? It doesn’t always come down to their knowledge, skills or personality. Instead, the most exceptional employees possess these attributes.

Enough of those tired team builders that feel more like obligations to seem happy we’re all at work. You’ve got a fun group, so try out something from these suggestions—and get ready for some laughs and eye-opening moments.

There are many ways to cheer your teammates’ triumphs and prod them to pick up their game when they’re down. What’s important is showing that you care and you’re rowing along with everyone in pursuit of shared success.

Consider making a new employee’s first day at work a culture-only affair.

Real magic happens for organizations whose interests branch out beyond their physical walls and into the community around them.