Team Lessons from Geese Team Lessons from Geese

Team Lessons from Geese

Team Lessons from Geese When the lead goose tires, it rotates back into the formation and another goose flies at the point position. Lesson: It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing the leader’s role.

Team Lessons from Geese In formation, the geese from behind honk to encourage those in front to keep up their speed. Lesson: Sometimes team members need to hear a little honking.

Team Lessons from Geese Whenever a goose is sick or wounded, two geese drop out of formation to help and protect it. They stay with it until it can fly again or dies. Lesson: Stand by one another in times of trouble. Team Lessons From Geese - Adapted from 40 Tools for Cross-Functional Teams, Walter J. Michalski. Productivity Press. 541 NE 20 th Ave, Portland, OR 97232

NCODP - Team Building

Team Building • Why are we talking about Team Building? – Team Building (Soldier-Team Development) is an integral part of being a Non-Commissioned Officer.

LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES Soldier Team Development Teaching and Counseling Technical and Tactical Proficiency Decision Making Planning Supervision Use of available systems Communication TC 22 -6, Pg 18 Professional ethics

Team Building • What is a Team? – Dictionary defines a Team as “ a group organized to work together”

Team Building • There is no “I” in T E A M • Being a member of a team is being part of the “we”, not being the “me”

Team Building • What does this have to do with me? – FM 22 -100, Paragraph 1 -62 states: No one is only a leader; each of you is also a subordinate, and all members of the Army are part of a team.

What is a ‘Good’ Team? • • • Work together to accomplish the mission Execute tasks thoroughly and quickly Meet or exceed the standard Thrive on demanding challenges Learn from their experiences and are proud of their accomplishments FM 22 -100, Pg 5 -19

OK…So how do we make a team? • • 3 Stages to building a Team Formation Stage Enrichment Stage Sustainment Stage

Fig 5. 5 of FM 22 -100

Formation Stage • • • Reception and Orientation Phase Leader’s Welcome New Soldier meets the rest of the Team Learn the schedule and work requirements Get to know ‘the lay of the land’ New Soldier is concerned about fitting in and belonging

Leader Actions during Formation • • • Coordinate reception of new soldier(s) Assign Sponsor LISTEN TO THE NEW SOLDIER TALK TO THE NEW SOLDIER Make sure the soldier’s family is taken care of

Fig 5. 5 of FM 22 -100

Enrichment Stage • Transition from questioning everything to trusting themselves, their peers, and their leaders • Most important part is TRAINING • Vital during Enrichment Stage…it is here that the team is building a collective proficiency

Leader Actions during Enrichment • LISTEN to your soldiers • Establish clear lines of authority • Develop soldier and unit goals

Fig 5. 5 of FM 22 -100

Sustainment Stage • The point where the group thinks of themselves as “our Team” • Team members will do what needs to be done without being told • Leader uses this stage to develop subordinates, because they are the future leaders

Leader Actions during Sustainment • • • Deal with the change in the team Reassess Goals and Priorities Focus on Teamwork Focus on Training Respond to Soldier Concerns

A Final Quote: It is difficult to be a good Non-Commissioned Officer, if it had been easy, they would have given it to the Officer Corps. – Sergeant Major of the Army Connelly Quote from ‘The Three Meter Zone” by CSM J. D. Pendry

As My Drill Sergeant Said. . . Questions ? Comments ? Snide Remarks ?