Building team spirit is the responsibility of a leader. It is the ability to get everybody in a group eager, not simply willing, to put 'we' ahead of 'me'.
Team spirit is not always an automatic trait, it is something that should be developed over a period of time.
Here are some suggestions, based on Coach Wooden's philosophy.
* Try to be a humble leader, let the team realise that the they work with you and not for you. If something good happens as a result of a suggestion you received, give credit to the person who made the suggestion. If something bad happens as a result of a suggestion that you received, take the blame.
* Create a culture where negative criticism and gossip are not accepted. Have some rules or suggestions regarding how team members communicate with each other.
* Everybody should know why their job is important and feel that their effort is appreciated.
* You can’t get a pay raise if the company goes out of business. Let team members know that their personal goals only have a chance of being accomplished if the team accomplishes its goals.
* Praise publicly and criticise privately. When you praise, give praise to those who are seldom acknowledged.
* Team spirit results when the leader inspires those same traits within his or her team, and in so doing, unites all of the members to work toward their shared goal. Share with your team the joy and importance of giving.
Courtesy: www.success.com
