A strong officer team
that works well together is key to achieving your chapter's goals. How can
you ensure that your chapter's officer team is the best it can be? Try
implementing some of the tips offered by Ellen Belzer in "Twelve Ways to
Better Team Building" from Unit Seven of the Phi Theta Kappa Leadership
Development Studies Program.
Belzer suggests that the most important task of a leader is to unify the
group and inspire a sense of oneness, while making each member feel valued.
Read on to learn about Belzer's tactics, adapted here just for Phi Theta Kappa
chapters!
Get Personal.
Everyone is there for a different reason, so find out why each
officer decided to accept the challenge of his or her leadership role.
Personal agendas can affect the outcome of any group, and finding out in
advance what each person is looking for can help ensure personal goals are
met through the success of the team.
Go for the Goals.
Defining a mission, and then setting and following through
on goals is key to making real achievements in your chapter. Keep in mind,
however, that flexibility is a must! While certain individual goals may
change through the course of a semester, your team should stay focused on
its mission.
Clarify Who's Who.
Many times power struggles within a team are caused by a
lack of clearly defined roles. When each person knows exactly what he or she
is responsible for, unnecessary rivalries can be avoided.
Make it Official.
Give your group a sense of identity for their project.
Instead of saying, "Mary and Joe, plan a fundraiser," say "Mary and Joe,
I would like you to lead the Fundraising Task Force." Titles can help team
members feel their tasks - and the goals of the group - are important.
Draw Up a Game Plan.
Make sure everyone knows what he or she - and the other
team members - should do to achieve the team's goals. Knowing what everyone
else is contributing fosters better interaction and communication within the
group.
Use Group Speak.
Using "we" and "our" instead of "I" and "me" emphasizes that
everyone has a stake in the outcome of projects. Group language gives team
members a sense of ownership in what they are doing.
Share the Wealth - of Information.
Knowledge doesn't necessarily equal power.
Withholding information can actually diminish a leader's position in their
group. Learn to be generous with facts regarding the background, priorities
and impact of your team's projects.
Build Lines of Communication.
Critical information about projects can fall
through the cracks if team members do not stay in frequent contact. Make sure
chapter officers and members know the dates and times of meetings, how to
reach each officer and who is authorized to make emergency decisions between
chapter meetings.
Make a Play Date.
Plan fun activities and informal meetings to encourage the
development of a strong bond in your group.
Encourage Team Spirit.
When a group has done well, praise the entire group
instead of singling out one person. This reinforces the fact that team members
are working together to reach a common goal. If a particular team member has
done exceptionally well, pull him or her to the side for individual recognition.
Tickle the Team Funny Bone.
Humor can break tension and make your group more
cohesive. When a team laughs together, they feel a stronger bond with each other.
Every Opinion Counts.
A nonthreatening atmosphere is a key ingredient of camaraderie and creativity.
Let everyone know that there are no wrong answers and that all ideas are
important. When possible, make decisions by a group consensus rather than a vote.
Voting is divisive because one side always loses. Create a brainstorming
environment where all team members feel comfortable contributing their ideas.
Using team building techniques ensures that the group experience is both happy
and productive.
For more ideas on building a better officer
team, contact Chapter Officer Coordinator Brandi McNeil at brandi.mcneil@ptk.org
or 601.984.3580.
