Empathetic listening is basically a technique adopted to help an individual manage and avoid disruptive and negative behavioral patterns from becoming a problem within the team that working towards the successful completion of a project. This technique can also be used in other circumstances where there is a need to hear and understand all views and thoughts on any particular situation or circumstance.
The exercise of empathetic listening involves the ability to provide a platform for the speaker to enjoy undivided attention, as any distractions can be deemed disrespectful to the speaker. It also encourages both parties to be completely committed to solving the perceived problem at the time. Being nonjudgmental is also another very important criterion.
Embarking on the exercise with preconceived notions can only distort any effort to solve the problem. Making a conscious effort not to minimize or trivialize the speaker’s concerns is also equally important. Making observations from the visual impacts shown when the speaker is expressing himself or herself is also another form of gaining insight into just how the speaker is affected by the perceived problem.
The emotions expressed through the course of the exercise can help define the method eventually chosen to defuse or address the problem. Offering verbal solutions before the speaker completes explaining his or her perspective is also not encouraged, however asking clarifying questions may be welcomed.
Goals and Objectives
Team building exercises will not work if the team has not set the goals and objectives that they want to meet. Without a clear vision, the whole exercise will be futile and you will not be able to achieve anything. You have to clearly define the goals of the team.
These goals should not necessarily be the organizational goals only. You can incorporate your own team’s organization. For instance, if you are on a sales department team, you may decide to have goals for your sales team. Maybe you can set new targets or aim to reach new markets. This is what will keep all members of the team focused.
Analysis of Successes and Failures
A team building consultant will take the time to examine how the team works before suggesting the best team building exercises. However, for the exercises to be very effective, the team has to do their own self examination.
Examine the past successes and failures of the team.
Find what needs to be worked on or simply improved and use this as a guideline. You can also have members of the team anonymously write down issues that they may be having within the team. This will help keep the team building more focused.
Commitment
Before embarking on team building, there should be a commitment from the team members. Most teams normally go out of town or to other locations so as to concentrate on the exercises. During this time, they need to be focused only on the task at hand and not on any other issues.
The team members should commit their time and effort. They should be willing to participate in team building. This isn’t something that a team leader can push people to do. Commitment is very vital for the success of the exercises.
Communication and Education
To be able to build any successful teams, there should be communication. You should let your team members know exactly what is planned. This shouldn’t be an ambush of some sort. Getting the team involved is very important in making the exercises effective.
You should also take the time and educate the team on the importance of the exercises. This will help them be more serious and committed. Point out the importance of team work and that can be achieved if the team learned how to work together. Don’t assume that everyone knows this. There are so many people who may strongly be pro-individualism.
Team Charters
Every team needs to have a charter. This should clearly provide a guideline on the behaviors and code of conduct for every team member. Don’t even attempt to embark on team building if you don’t have this charter. This is what sets the whole basis for team work and is therefore very important.
Expectations
Everyone should lay out their expectations for the exercise. You can also involve the team members in clearly defining this. It’s not enough to have goals for the team. It is also good that you have short-term goals for the team building exercises. This will help you focus. It will also help in evaluating just how effective the whole program is. The expectations can also act as a guideline for selecting the right team building exercises.
Leadership
Leadership is very important for any team building to succeed. This is why it is advisable for leaders to actively participate in all the exercises. The leader should also take the initiative and the role of setting examples for everyone. An absentee leader can actually make the whole exercises flop.
It may be perceived as a lack of interest on their part. In addition, the team can’t learn effectively. The team leader has to be involved in the team, especially during the team-building exercises.