10 Team Building Methods You Can Implement Today

What is a team without a goal? A bunch of people. There are many team building methods available to you and your team.

But what one works best for your business?

As a leader I know you're strapped for time, so digging through a bunch of old management books and theories doesn't sound like productive work.

So here's 10 simple team building methods. I've broken them into steps to help you get your team headed in the right direction, which means developing a "team charter" which will help you flesh out the primary purpose of your team and prioritize the objective you want and need to accomplish.

I call this the "who," "what," "when," and "why" of your team. It is essential to develop a rough draft before you reveal it to your team, then your team collaboratively establishes the "how."

So without further gobbledygook:

1. Develop the team's mission in two sentences (less if you can). Why does it exist? What is the primary purpose?

2. Establish some SMART goals for the team. SMART meaning obtaining verifiable, objective data to frame each team member's responsibility. And how each person fits into the overall team strategy.

3. Describe the project and activities the team will undertake. Specifically looking at clear objectives, priorities, strategies, and analysis.

4. Expected Time Obligation. Be clear about what you expect from your team as far as how much time they will have to devote to the team. Why is this necessary.

5. Identify what the ultimate outcome looks like. Are you developing products or information. How does this team project fit into the overall business?

6. Introduce the team members and identify their roles and responsibilities.

7. Key measures you will take to track the team's progress.

8. Identify your own role and responsibilities as the team leader. What can your team expect from you?

9. Make the rules of the team very clear, and cut and dry.

10. Make your expectations clear about what you expect from people regarding their commitment to establishing cooperative and communicative relationships on the team.

So there are 10 quick and easy team building methods you can use today to get your team's alignment straight.