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THE FAX OF LIFE

A Weekly Service To The Business Community From SVCC

HOW TO BUILD A WINNING TEAM - PART 2
By Rick Warren

Last week we looked at four essential actions you must take in order to build an effective team at work: Trust...Economize energy...Affirm and appreciate.. and Manage your mistakes. Today, I'll complete the acrostic: T.E.A.M.W.O.R.K. with 4 more keys to increasing the productivity of people you work with.

WEEKLY TEAM MEETINGS. At least every seven days, as a minimum, your team members need contact with each other. More often is better. Tremendous energy and creativity emerge when people committed to the same goals are allowed to think together. The Bible says "Two are better off than one, because together they can work more effectively. If one of them falls down, the other can help him up.... Two can resist an attack that would defeat one man alone. And a rope of three cords is hard to break." Eccl. 4:9-12
OPEN COMMUNICATION. Poor communication is the #1 problem in most offices. Problems occur when someone is not adequately informed. On the other hand, there is great power when all members of a team fully understand each other. "If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan will be impossible for them." Gen. 11:6 There are 3 common barriers to open communication:
1. Presumption. Don't assume others think like you do. They don't! There is always more than one way to see things. "It is stupid to decide before knowing the facts." Pr. 18:13 (LB)
2. Impatience. "Let everyone be quick to listen and low to speak." James 1:19
3. Pride. Pride makes us defensive to new ideas. We don't really hear what people are saying if we're thinking of ourselves. "Pride always causes conflict." Pr. 13:10
RECOGNITION AND REWARD. Recognizing the efforts of team members always motivates and inspires people to do their best. Praise people sincerely and publicly. "Don't withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act." Pr. 3:27 "Let us have real, warm affection for each other .. and a willingness to let the other man have the credit." Rom.12:10 (Ph) God can do great things through the person who doesn't care who gets the credit.
K EEP ON LEARNING. Provide training and self-improvement opportunities for those on your team. Growing businesses are led by growing people. "The intelligent man is always open to new ideas. In fact, he looks for them." Pr. 18:15 (LB)

Until next week...
FOL#40
Part One

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