Unless you’re a one-person business, teamwork plays an important part in your success. In fact, even sole proprietors must think of others as team members, such as suppliers, customer reps, etc. When you realize that your success depends on others (and that their success depends on you), you’ll have an exciting synergistic operation.

Americans have believed in their independence not only as a country, but also as individuals. While independence has merits, no man (or woman) is an island. If you can learn to work in healthy ways with others, it will only accelerate your progress.

Teambuilding workshops can be successful, if they employ questions to stimulate the hearts and minds of the group. It’s only from within, that people can find the answers necessary to take responsibility for their own learning and progress. Also, unity-building exercises are equally important. Below are thoughts and questions to begin this process.

Three quick questions:
1. Do you think that no one can do your job as well as you can?
2. Do you believe that the best ideas are those brainstormed within a group and made with consensus?
3. Are you willing to share your ideas, or do you keep them to yourself, thinking that perhaps that no one will listen or that the ideas really aren’t that good after all?

Answering these questions honestly will help you gain a greater sense of your acceptance of and enthusiasm for team work. Take note and see if you might need to adjust some of your attitudes.

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To get to the HEART of Team Work, it’s important to know that everyone has a valuable place in an organization. No one has all the answers for success; often the quietest employees have great ideas but have not been encouraged to speak out.

A great team member recognizes others’ contribution to the whole; to know that there is value in everyone’s opinion, even when there is diversity of ideas or conflict. Honoring each person for their involvement is the foundation of a great team.

Try this exercise:

If you’re a sports fan, think about a successful sports team. (If you’re not a sports enthusiast, think about any successful organization—your child’s Girl Scouts or Boy Scouts, your own workplace, or simply imagine what it might take to bring a team or organization to consistent success.)

What does/did it take to make this team/organization so successful? List the attributes as you think about them.

Do all members of the team/organization have the same characteristics, or are there different areas of expertise represented?

Is there certain criteria that needs to be met? (For example, which areas require expertise? Which areas are not as important?)

What other components make this team/organization successful? List all the aspects that lead to this success (including, perhaps, loyal fans/clients!).

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Now take this knowledge and apply it to your work place (even if you’re a single entrepreneur). Notice your work environment.

How does your work place compare to the attributes you’ve listed for successful teams and organizations?

Which ones do they/you have in abundance?

Which need improving?

Can your workplace succeed without these characteristics? Or are they necessary to thrive?

These types of questions will allow you to get to the HEART of Teamwork within (or around) your organization.

Are you ready, able, and willing to change your environment to bring successful teamwork into your workplace?

It’s up to you.

For expert facilitation of questions such as these, contact:

Suzy Allegra, entrepreneur, artist, and author of How to Be Ageless: Growing Better, Not Just Older!, and Where’s Your Organization’s HEART? Questions to Propel Your Business to Greatness helps organizations pump up their bottom line and expand their heart through employee retention. Through her art-based presentations and other media tools, clients learn how to lead more productive and fulfilling lives. She can be reached at: (602) 331-3929; toll-free: (866) JOY2AGE, or email: suzy@suzyallegra.com

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