Employee Success Toolkit
Tool #4:
Create Team Synergy
Copyright Harriet Meyerson 2008 • www.ConfidenceCenter.com
Create Team Synergy
Team Synergy occurs…
when two or more people work
together, and the result is
greater than the sum of their
individual efforts.
© Harriet Meyerson, 2008 • www.ConfidenceCenter.com
Create Team Synergy
“Team Work” vs “Teamwork”
Is there a difference?
Patty Hendrickson, a team building expert,
explains what happens when you eliminate
the space between the words:
“Team” and “Work”
to create the word
“Teamwork”.
© Harriet Meyerson, 2008 • www.ConfidenceCenter.com
Create Team Synergy
“Team Work” (2 words)
 Each team member has a
personal tool box.




Skills
Talents
Resources
Ideas
 Each member uses their skills
and talents individually.
 They are limited by the contents
of their own tool boxes.
© Harriet Meyerson, 2008 • www.ConfidenceCenter.com
Create Team Synergy
“Teamwork” (One Word)
 Members open up their tool
boxes for use by the entire
group.
 They teach each other skills.
 They share their ideas and
resources.
 When member’s skills and
talents are shared with the
group, they combine to
create a cohesive unit.
© Harriet Meyerson, 2008 • www.ConfidenceCenter.com
Create Team Synergy
Use Your Toolbox
 What is unique about you?
 Don’t undervalue your
assets.
 Don’t overestimate your
shortcomings.
 Make a list of your skills
and personality strengths
in your toolbox.
© Harriet Meyerson, 2008 • www.ConfidenceCenter.com
Create Team Synergy
What Are Your Skills and Assets?
 Are you creative, detail oriented, good at
follow through?
 Do you write clearly and concisely?
 Do you have a sense of humor?
 Are you able to see the “big picture”?
 Do you have certain computer or other
valuable skills?
© Harriet Meyerson, 2008 • www.ConfidenceCenter.com
Create Team Synergy
What Are Your Weaknesses?
 Do you lack certain computer skills?
 Are you impatient or impulsive?
 Do you have difficulty communicating with
others?
 Are you slow to take action?
When team members discuss strengths and
weaknesses, they discover effective ways to work
together.
© Harriet Meyerson, 2008 • www.ConfidenceCenter.com
Create Team Synergy
The Four Phases of Teams




Forming Storming Norming Performing - Synergy happens at this phase,
and the maximum benefit of teamwork is
achieved.
When there is any change, the team must move
back to the “forming” stage to regroup.
© Harriet Meyerson, 2008 • www.ConfidenceCenter.com
Create Team Synergy
Forming
 The team figures out it’s
goals, roles and processes.
 This is an exciting, creative
time.
 Team members are learning
about each other.
 They are brainstorming new
ideas.
 They are excited about
possibilities.
© Harriet Meyerson, 2008 • www.ConfidenceCenter.com
Create Team Synergy
Storming
 The normal and predictable
stage of team conflict.
Conflict should not be avoided.
 Issues need to be brought
up and worked through.
 A team can get stuck in this
stage, if members try to ignore
conflicts.
 Trust and respect are
developed depending on the
way team members handle
the issues.
© Harriet Meyerson, 2008 • www.ConfidenceCenter.com
Create Team Synergy
Norming
 Conflict has been resolved and team members
work well together.
 Be wary of “group think”.
 – Members may be tired from the conflict in the
Storming stage and may be reluctant to voice their
own ideas.
© Harriet Meyerson, 2008 • www.ConfidenceCenter.com
Create Team Synergy
Performing
 True synergy happens.
 The maximum benefit of
teamwork is achieved.
When there is any change,
the team must move back
to the Forming stage to
regroup and move back up
through the stages.
© Harriet Meyerson, 2008 • www.ConfidenceCenter.com
Create Team Synergy
Build Trust
Trust is the Foundation that Builds Teams
 Show up for meetings on time.
 Share your ideas and opinions during the
meeting.
 Listen attentively to your teammates’ ideas.
 Be organized.
 Get assignments done on time.
 Ask for help when you need it.
© Harriet Meyerson, 2008 • www.ConfidenceCenter.com
Create Team Synergy
Show Appreciation
Appreciation encourages more sharing.
1. Thank others for sharing
their tools with you.
2. Reward yourself for sharing
your tools with other team
members.
© Harriet Meyerson, 2008 • www.ConfidenceCenter.com
Create Team Synergy
Speak Assertively
 Have the courage to bring up your ideas.
 Fight the inner voice that says, “My idea isn’t good
enough.”
 Don’t cheat the team of the power of many
brains.
© Harriet Meyerson, 2008 • www.ConfidenceCenter.com
Create Team Synergy
Listen Actively
 Listening demonstrates respect and builds
trust.
 It is your responsibility to understand what
your teammate said.
 Paraphrase what was said back to your
teammate.
 “I want to make sure I understood what you said.
Your point of view is…”
© Harriet Meyerson, 2008 • www.ConfidenceCenter.com
Create Team Synergy
“The highlight of being a team player is
the sense of accomplishment and
pride you will feel in having contributed
your special part to the synergy and
success of your team’s mission.”
Kathy Reed, President of
TeamWorks Training and Consulting
© Harriet Meyerson, 2008 • www.ConfidenceCenter.com
Create Team Synergy
Create Team Synergy
Quiz & Discussion Questions
© Harriet Meyerson, 2008 • www.ConfidenceCenter.com
Create Team Synergy
Question 1
What does your personal
toolbox contain?
© Harriet Meyerson, 2008 • www.ConfidenceCenter.com
Create Team Synergy
Question 2
What are the four different
stages of a team?
© Harriet Meyerson, 2008 • www.ConfidenceCenter.com
Create Team Synergy
Question 3
What are some benefits of
working effectively as a team?
© Harriet Meyerson, 2008 • www.ConfidenceCenter.com
Create Team Synergy
Question 4
How can you be sure you have
understood another person’s
point of view?
© Harriet Meyerson, 2008 • www.ConfidenceCenter.com
Create Team Synergy
Question 5
Name three ways you can
build trust with team
members.
© Harriet Meyerson, 2008 • www.ConfidenceCenter.com
Create Team Synergy
Set Your Goals
What are your
three main goals
for creating team synergy?
© Harriet Meyerson, 2008 • www.ConfidenceCenter.com