According to many theories on leadership, leaders are not born but are developed over time through experiences, knowledge and education. Having a leader that can encourage followers to reach greater heights requires a large amount of teamwork that will need to be continually reviewed, analyzed and worked on to ensure the best results. One of the many opportunities to build this trust and faith is through team building opportunities.
Team building for organizations today comes in many shapes and styles. The expectations and anticipated results can vary greatly as well from organization to organization. As a leader, it is essential that you clarify the goals and expectations of the organization to everyone. In order to complete this task effectively, you must communicate the goals in a number ways that appeal to a variety of team members.1 This process should help to foster a belief of unity and allow people to move past barriers that might be in the way of achieving success for the organization. It will allow a leader the opportunity to show each individual who is part of the team as being unique and explaining how their efforts add value to the entire progression.
Good leaders will show the team members how they can gain from being part of a group and how it makes it possible to do things they couldn’t necessarily do alone. The leaders will be able to show through team building exercises how a shared vision utilizing multiple team members will create a wider degree of options as well as help to develop the followers into future leaders.
Whether it is a sports team, a civic group or a business firm, team building opportunities when handled properly can offer a useful experience to leaders and followers. Leaders can find ways to communicate with the followers to inspire them to greater results. The followers can learn that they are part of a group that is committed towards a common goal and direction. This is an opportunity to strengthen the greatest assets that are found in organizations which is the employees. It will serve to open minds and to expand the horizons of the organization when done properly. It will serve as a reminder that each team member helps to contribute to the success or the failure of the organization. When done properly, the team building exercise can include real, current work goals that can be implemented promptly which will benefit the leader, the followers and the organization.
References
1 Lantz, Gayle. “Team Building: Leadership Strategies to Address Today’s Most Common Team Building Problems”. Web 20 Jan. 2013. http://www.businessknowhow.com/growth/team-building.htm