Teamwork and Consensus - in response to http://blogs.bnet.com/teamwork/?p=103

Teamwork and Consensus

As an NCO in the Royal Swedish Coastal Artillery during the 90's I learned a few valuable lessons regarding teamwork, especially with regard to consensus:
- Reaching consensus takes time but as it involves all team members we're more likely to reach a brilliant conclusion by drawing on everybody's experience and expertise (just like the SAS "Chinese Parliament").
- Involving all team members and collectively reaching a decision is good as we're all more likely to make an effort to see "it" through to its fruition (motivation).
- It's the leaders (Boss/NCO's) primary job to act as a facilitator and moderator to ensure time and effort is well-spent.
- In a crisis situation or at the end of a lively debate, it's the leader (Boss/NCO) that makes the final decision.

Slainte!

Naoise "Gaff" Gaffney

In Response to http://blogs.bnet.com/salesmachine/?p=270

In response to "Ten Ways to Get Insanely Motivated" http://blogs.bnet.com/salesmachine/?p=270

All-in-all the usual motivational speeches... Most points are good, however I disagree with one in particular: "Avoid negative people. Don't take anything that they say seriously." I've found that "negative" people have a keen critical sense of the challenges that must be addressed in any scenario. It's not OK to go down with a sinking ship full of the joys of spring yet blissfully unaware of the fact that a definite drowning will ensue.

During my many years in various capacities as facilitator, colleague and manager I always use the "negative" people as a "sanity-gauge" of any idea being put forth. In the end, it's still my job as a manager, to decide what's best based on the collective input from colleagues.

Slainte!

Gaff