Wednesday, September 21, 2011
WHAT MAKES A GREAT TEAM?
In chapter five (5) of the technology director's guide to leadership (Hall, 2008), a picture is painted of what it takes to make a great team. I like the African Proverb given (p. 107): "If you want to go fast, then go alone; If you want to go far, then go together." Teamwork is not about just accomplishing tasks, it is about accomplishing tasks together. I heard a comment or read something on twitter that described a rhino,it's strength and power, and how it could do a lot, but that does not make the rhino a leader (author unknown). Hearing that caused me to reflect back to different leaders that I have known. It posed the question, "Am I like a rhino?" Am I scary? Intimidating? Damaging? Demanding? Loud? Proud? I do not want to have the leadership skills of a rhino. I want to be a leader who is able to develop a great team. I want to be able to understand my role as a leader, in educational technology, ministry, with my family, friends, and in every arena of my life. I want to be involved with great teams, working together. Hall shares how you can know when you are involved in a great team, "When each team member feels individually accountable for the success of every other team member, that's when you truly have a great team (Hall, 2008 p. 109)." He also shares that every team is in a stage. An example is given of the Tuckman's model of "Forming-Storming-Norming-Performing (Hall, 2008 p. 110)." Hall shared that it is important for every leader to help the team move through the early stages quickly with the goal in mind of getting them to the performing stage. Another statement that stuck out to me was, "Your real goal is to have a team, not just a group of people working together (Hall, 2008 p. 116)." Educational technology leaders have before them a great task and responsibility of developing great teams. The greatest example of a leader that I know is Christ Jesus, who served everyone He was leading (Phil. 2:5-8).
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
First off, I really like your comparison of a leader to a rhino. I have seen and worked under some rhino leaders and that is a great description of the loud, boisterous leader who goes around yelling and pushing all of the time. I am really enjoying the Hall textbook and the ways that it talks about different leaders and how to build a team. I was actually kind of surprised when the professor seemed like he did not like the Hall text. I think it is a great way to show us future technology leaders about the qualities of a good leader and how to build a team.
ReplyDeleteDerrick Kirby
Derrick,
ReplyDeleteI enjoy the Hall text also. I have been encouraged by reading everything Hall stated about a team and (at the same time) discouraged about knowing that there are organizations all over the place that are not very team oriented. I have been a part of both. The leader is so important in casting the vision and challenging the team to accomplish the goals.
Thanks,
-Chris
Tiffany
ReplyDeleteWHAT MAKES A GREAT TEAM?
In chapter five (5) of the technology director's guide to leadership (Hall, 2008), a picture is painted of what it takes to make a great team. I like the African Proverb given (p. 107): "If you want to go fast, then go alone; If you want to go far, then go together." Teamwork is not about just accomplishing tasks, it is about accomplishing tasks together. I heard a comment or read something on twitter that described a rhino,it's strength and power, and how it could do a lot, but that does not make the rhino a leader (author unknown). Hearing that caused me to reflect back to different leaders that I have known. It posed the question, "Am I like a rhino?" Am I scary? Intimidating? Damaging? Demanding? Loud? Proud? I do not want to have the leadership skills of a rhino. I want to be a leader who is able to develop a great team. I want to be able to understand my role as a leader, in educational technology, ministry, with my family, friends, and in every arena of my life. I want to be involved with great teams, working together. Hall shares how you can know when you are involved in a great team, "When each team member feels individually accountable for the success of every other team member, that's when you truly have a great team (Hall, 2008 p. 109)." He also shares that every team is in a stage. An example is given of the Tuckman's model of "Forming-Storming-Norming-Performing (Hall, 2008 p. 110)." Hall shared that it is important for every leader to help the team move through the early stages quickly with the goal in mind of getting them to the performing stage. Another statement that stuck out to me was, "Your real goal is to have a team, not just a group of people working together (Hall, 2008 p. 116)." Educational technology leaders have before them a great task and responsibility of developing great teams. The greatest example of a leader that I know is Christ Jesus, who served everyone He was leading (Phil. 2:5-8).
Chris,
Your desire to be a leader makes me feel led to ask you to look to the Lord for where He will have you lead. You are going to be the best leader when you follow Christ’s will for your life.
Your proverb is true. I am not one to work in teams because I have had bad experiences, but I am forcing myself to do so because I have felt the burden of working alone too often. I am partnering up when I can to allow other’s knowledge to teach and inspire me. I don’t know everything. I need to learn to trust and let go of bad past experiences. Your proverb made me reflect on my life and the reason I am so tired all the time is because I try to do everything alone and I do not trust and rely on others like I should. I also need to learn to trust and rely on our almighty God more regularly because that is what He wants from His followers. How humbling your blog has made me this evening. If I am to become an effective leader, I need to delegate and share the responsibility.
Patience is another area I think that you nailed. Administrators have to let their staff go through the various stages, exercising caution in their involvement. There needs to be encouragement and support, but principals will see the benefit of their patience as their groups work through their trials and tribulations it if they can just let them get through it.
Your posting was tremendous! I enjoyed it and I appreciate that you recognized our Lord’s role in this text and chapter.
Tiffany