Effective Teamwork is based on human agility and taking responsibility for our actions which contribute to shared results. The belief that we are required as leaders or team-members to maintain a facade of perfection should be smashed and dumped off in the trash on our way to lunch. Such ideologies are the underlying causes of stress in our own lives and destructive to the agility and creativity of our teams.

The basic keys of interaction as a leader or teamwork member suggest that Integrity is much more powerful (and profitable), than any perception of Perfection (From where I sit, more breakdowns occur from distrust than from dishonesty. What’s your guess?)

Clean Up Broken Agreements

If the recipe for building trust is to make and keep incrementally larger agreements, then what happens if you break an agreement? One of two things can happen. Your partner can lose confidence in you and may withhold trust, or, you can respond immediately and clean up the relationship-mess that you created. Our inaction in these situations is a “response.” We should never misjudge the message that silence can thunder inside a partnership or relationship. To respond effectively and maintain our level of trust, and the effectiveness of our teams; Sincerely apply these four steps.

1. Acknowledge that you broke the agreement.

Make no excuses or stories, simply acknowledge that you blew it. When you are responsible enough to call yourself on your mistake then your partner does not have to pretend to ignore it, pretend to make it okay, or confront themselves about whether to confront you about it.

2. Apologize to your partner for breaking the agreement.

Tell them that they did not deserve to be treated that way by you. (Hint: “I apologize to you” sounds better than “I am sorry.” Think about it.)

3. Ask: What can I do to make amends?

You may think that you know, and you should announce that you are prepared to replace lost or broken property. However, asking what you can do to correct places the emphasis on repairing the relationship. Besides, it’s a chance to make a new agreement and demonstrate trust.

4. Re-commit to the relationship.

Tell your partner how important the future of your relationship is to you and what you intend to do to ensure that you keep agreements that you make with your partner.

My Knowledge Team Leadership training intensive is the perfect place to learn these skills.