In my last blog, I wrote about the qualities of teamwork, collaboration and communication and how significant these qualities are in determining outcomes. The more effective the teamwork, collaborative process and communication style, the more positive the outcomes.
A phenomenon known as the Apollo Syndrome also illustrates the value of teamwork, collaboration and communication.
Several astronauts with top NASA credentials and high intellect gathered to address a highly complex issue.
Likewise, a group of individuals from NASA gathered who were indeed very smart, yet lacked the qualifications and expertise of the aforementioned astronauts. They were challenged to address a similar highly complex issue.
Interestingly, the second group was more successful in discovering the best options for resolving the problem. Their success was attributed to their effectiveness in teamwork, collaboration and communication, contrary to the first team who worked more independent of each other, yet below their collective capability.
When looking for ways to foster handshakes and eliminate arm wrestling, companies are invited to contact HR Alliance to learn more about our offerings. Among those services we provide are: experiential team building programs, serving as an external consultant to facilitate collaborative initiatives, and training on the subject of effective communication.
Congratulations to those organizations that recognize the power of a handshake and the opportunities for win-win results.
Showing posts with label collaboration. Show all posts
Showing posts with label collaboration. Show all posts
Monday, July 12, 2010
Friday, May 21, 2010
HANDSHAKE OR HEARTACHE
How many times could a handshake result in more effective – more positive – more peaceful results than arm wrestling to prove who’s strongest – physically, mentally, emotionally, financially?
Working with each other (the handshake approach) implies the potential for all involved to benefit. The process goes by many names, among them, teamwork, collaboration and communication.
Working against each other (the arm wrestling approach) implies competition, and competition implies someone loses. This process goes by many names, too: conflict management, power struggle, and a “we” versus “they” mentality.
According to Brigadier General (Retired) Charles Campbell, Afterburner Director of Flawless Execution University (www.afterburner.com), in the 1980’s the NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) conducted an exhaustive study regarding airline disasters. The results of the study led them to the conclusion that the vast number of plane disasters were not caused by inclement weather, pilot error or mechanical failure. In fact, most airline disasters were caused by the absence of teamwork, collaboration and communication.
In the 1990’s, a similar study was conducted by the WHO (World Health Organization) regarding the causes of error-related deaths. The results showed that such deaths were not caused by lack of training or lack of skills of medical professionals. Deaths caused were also not tied to unavailable facilities and resources. It was discovered that, like the NTSB study, error-related deaths are much more likely to occur due to the absence of teamwork, collaboration and communication.
Thirty-thousand feet in the air or a hospital surgical suite . . .
. . . distress among family members, political controversy, labor-management disputes, war in the streets and with other countries . . .
How many times could a handshake prevent heartache? Would (1.) working together as a team, (2.) building upon each others’ strengths in collaboration, and (3.) respectfully communicating with each other lead to better outcomes?
I vote in favor of a handshake.
Working with each other (the handshake approach) implies the potential for all involved to benefit. The process goes by many names, among them, teamwork, collaboration and communication.
Working against each other (the arm wrestling approach) implies competition, and competition implies someone loses. This process goes by many names, too: conflict management, power struggle, and a “we” versus “they” mentality.
According to Brigadier General (Retired) Charles Campbell, Afterburner Director of Flawless Execution University (www.afterburner.com), in the 1980’s the NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) conducted an exhaustive study regarding airline disasters. The results of the study led them to the conclusion that the vast number of plane disasters were not caused by inclement weather, pilot error or mechanical failure. In fact, most airline disasters were caused by the absence of teamwork, collaboration and communication.
In the 1990’s, a similar study was conducted by the WHO (World Health Organization) regarding the causes of error-related deaths. The results showed that such deaths were not caused by lack of training or lack of skills of medical professionals. Deaths caused were also not tied to unavailable facilities and resources. It was discovered that, like the NTSB study, error-related deaths are much more likely to occur due to the absence of teamwork, collaboration and communication.
Thirty-thousand feet in the air or a hospital surgical suite . . .
. . . distress among family members, political controversy, labor-management disputes, war in the streets and with other countries . . .
How many times could a handshake prevent heartache? Would (1.) working together as a team, (2.) building upon each others’ strengths in collaboration, and (3.) respectfully communicating with each other lead to better outcomes?
I vote in favor of a handshake.
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