Being a "team" is much more than a name change 

Recently pundits have proclaimed the need to use the word ‘team’ or ‘team members’ instead of staff (we do NOT allow that word to be used) or employees. The catch cry for instance that ‘Together Everyone Achieves More’ has become popular — and for good reason.
Think about the teams you have been involved with at school or through sport or even think about your family as a team — haven’t those teams meant a lot to you? Didn’t you want to do whatever it took to contribute something of value to your team and your team mates? Even if it meant extra workouts, time spent practicing over and over again and more? Didn’t the success of the team mean more to you in some cases than your own needs?
That same passion and drive can be created within your business ‘team’ when the same spirit and principles that rule your family or sporting teams come into play in the work environment.
Principles like respecting the rules of the game for instance — how the game is played and understanding our roles as players, coaches and assistants. And others like respecting and harnessing each team member’s various skills and strengths rather than focussing on their weaknesses. Practicing and moving on from mistakes without wasting time on who gets the blame for what. Keeping our eye on the ball. Communicating openly throughout to get the game won and so on.

Naturally it takes more to create a team than changing a term such as designating staff ‘team members’ and giving them an assignment. Successful teams are infused with an energizing spirit that draws the participants together into a cohesive unit and has everyone pulling together to reach a common goal. There are many ways to help instill a sense of teamwork in a team, including group challenges, team-building exercises, and the promotion of a team culture where the values we see on sporting fields or even at home apply to the office. The ultimate result is an organization where the whole truly adds up to more than the sum of its parts.
To give your team the shot in the arm it might need here are some time-tested energizers:
1. Lead by example. Be enthusiastic, encouraging and motivating.
2. Take team members from different levels and areas to lunch and ask what they would change in the organization and how they'd change it.
3. Communicate all information to all team members all of the time.
4. Encourage team members to improve one process, procedure, or aspect of their job every day. (This helps your business achieve ‘CANI’ — Constant & Never-ending Improvement)
5. Agree to conduct personal and professional lives in a manner that will bring credit to your team members, their families, and the company at all times. 
6. Send a problem or challenge out to all team members and ask for their suggestions on how to solve it.
7. Give your team permission to say "yes" to clients and the resources to do it.
8. Break down barriers between departments. One way to do that is to create project teams to solve various issues.
9. Encourage every team member to take risks, exercise initiative, deliver quality results, and never be afraid to make mistakes.
10. Create a supportive environment that nurtures professional and personal growth.
11. Do what you say you're going to do — and more!
And finally, while you're building a great company — have fun! And to make sure that it is actively be aware of how much fun your team is having at work.

Content by:    

• Made Simple Group