Team-building Involves Trust and Clear Communication
I had the privilege of meeting, Ed Deming, considered the father of Quality Improvement. He is perhaps best known for his work in Japan. From 1950 onward, he taught top management how to improve design (and thus service), product quality, testing, and sales (the last through global markets) through various methods, including the application of statistical methods. His adage was that you don’t achieve quality through inspection. Rather, you improve quality by doing it right the first time. Plan first, then Act. Whose has time to do something over again because of errors or poor execution?
At Terrapin Adventures, we often see team building groups full of enthusiasm jump into solving a challenge without taking the time to plan ahead. Sometimes it goes well and sometimes not so good. As in life, groups often feel time pressure or fall into familiar patterns without considering alternatives and different points of view.
Team Building: Plan First, Then Act
By taking the time to discuss options, gain consensus, and clarify what each team member will be expected to do helps improve the result. Yes, it may take more time, but satisfaction is increased because agreement was reached and communicated to those involved and affected by the task. In complex projects and tasks, there are multiple steps to achieve the goal. Often the preceding step(s) affect whether the subsequent tasks go well. Teams need to understand how what they do impacts the overall project and that excellence comes from the overall success not just their piece.
Team Building with Terrapin Adventures
Conveniently located between Baltimore and Washington DC, Terrapin Adventures is uniquely suited to provide a team building solution for any company, both onsite and offsite. Click Here to request a date. If you have any questions about Team Building, please call Terrapin Adventures at 301.725.1313, email us at info@terrapinadventures.com, or fill out the contact form on our website. You can also follow Terrapin Adventures us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, Google+, and Pinterest for up-to-date information on events, trends, and other fun and exciting outdoor activities.