TEAM AGREEMENTS Why Team Agreements Makes expectations explicit

TEAM AGREEMENTS

Why Team Agreements? • Makes expectations explicit • Facilitates interpersonal communication • Provides objective reference point for feedback • Helps establish the team culture

“A team without agreements is like a river without banks…it becomes a directionless puddle. ” Paraphrased from “The one minute manager”

Creating Team Agreements • Step 1: Brainstorm! – Create a list of agreements/guidelines that you think will help create an effective team Agreements

Creating Team Agreements • Step 2: Filter – Cross redundant ideas off the list Agreements 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Be respectful Be on time Treat people well Meet your commitments Listen Have fun!

EXAMPLE TEAM AGREEMENTS A process interlude

General Examples • • Team members as coworkers: all team members are equal; every team member's opinion will be thoughtfully considered; each team member will keep all commitments by the agreed upon due date; each team member agrees to constantly assess whether team members are honoring their commitment to the team norms. Team member communication: team members will speak respectfully to each other; will not talk down to each other; will positively recognize and thank each other for team contributions. Team member interaction in meetings: team members will listen without interrupting; hold no side or competing conversations; attend the meeting on time; always work from an agenda; minutes will be recorded at each meeting; end meetings on time. Team problem solving, conflict resolution, and decision making: team members will make decisions by consensus, but majority will rule if timely consensus is not reached; conflicts will be resolved directly with the persons in conflict. Source: From “How and Why to Create Team Norms” (http: //humanresources. about. com/od/teambuilding/qt/norms. htm)

Feel. Good's Staff Agreements • To relate with love by being… – Present – Authentic – Inclusive – Responsive

Creating Team Agreements • Step 3: Commit! – Commit to “living” the agreements – Commit to speaking out if we feel these agreements are not being honored

Creating Team Agreements • Step 4: Post & Distribute Agreements – Where shall we post them? • Step 5: Revisit, Renew, Recommit – How often should we revisit and update? – How do we introduce and get buy-in from new team members?

TEAM AGREEMENTS We did it!