Team Synergy in a Modified
Department
Starting situation
Acquisitions and restructuring programs had
caused a good deal of upheaval in a department: old
working relationships were partially dissolved, and
many new co-workers had been employed. The
consequences of the expansion were isolation and a
lack of integration. The 30 employees affected by
these changes lost sight of their group spirit,
internal contacts, and the responsibilities of
individuals.
Objective
The first task was to focus on the employees
personally, reinforce the internal cohesion of the
department, and enable common learning with an
element of fun. A second goal was to highlight the
tasks and achievements of the sub-departments and
the department as a whole. The aim of this was to
strengthen the individual employees’ appreciation of
other people’s work and their understanding of the
overall interrelationships within the department.
Course of action
Interaction games relaxed the atmosphere at the
beginning of the two-day seminar and brought out
sides to people that their co-workers didn’t
normally see.
The individual teams developed scenes about their
day-to-day work. These theatrical insights – some
real, some allegorically transposed – were performed
on the seminar stage. This visualized the work tasks
and daily demands specific individuals had to deal
with. It was often those who tended to remain more
in the background at work who excelled. The ensuing
questions further strengthened people’s
understanding of one another. Existing
preconceptions were confronted by new information.
Goals, processes, and difficulties in the large
department were discussed.
Benefit
An evaluation after one year demonstrated that
the “theatrical insights” had provided a
comprehensive and lasting understanding of the
activities and accomplishments of the overall
department among the participants. The individuals
felt that they personally and their achievements
were recognized and appreciated. Understanding of
their co-workers’ tasks had increased.
Inefficiencies due to insufficient communication
were reduced in the long term, or more care was
taken in noting them and passing them on. The “we”
feeling was strengthened.
|
