Because It's All About Teamwork

We know you care about teams and teamwork.  We do too.  Here are two of our recent articles on teamwork. 

From birth to death we are all on a quest to grow, to succeed, to be better.  This pursuit for growth is a part of our natural evolution.  The business world however, seems to be ignoring this human component.  Read more: Get in the Right Kind of 'Growth Mode'

Whether your organization has within it teams of two, or teams of twenty, their ability to work together cohesively (read: teamwork) will be contingent upon five essential qualities that all successful teams boast. Here’s a look at the five essential features of successful teams.  Read more: 5 Secrets of Successful Teams

It Isn't Too Late

Looking for Continuing Education?  We've got your covered! 

Candice Gottlieb-Clark has presented two fabulous webinars on managing teams and workplace conflict - and you can still watch them online.  Hurry though - the HRCI and SHRM recertifications expire if not completed by 12/31/2017!

Below are links to the two webinars conducted in conjunction with Ascentis.  Each program is not only awesome and informational, you'll also receive HRCI and SHRM Credits* (for free)!

Identifying and Managing Workplace Conflict

Creating Dynamic Teams - Getting Beyond the Wishing Well

*Each program has been approved by HRCI and SHRM for 1.0 recertification credits

Get On Board!

Mediating Solutions took a giant leap and - much like a superhero - transformed itself into something better and more powerful...

Dynamic Team Solutions

We still provide new content in the way of Blog posts - but now they are located on our new site:  

If you want to be sure you never miss one of our posts - sign up to receive our monthly newsletter!  It always has our featured article at the top of the page.  

Or connect with us directly on the web (DynamicTeamSolutions.org), or by scheduling a free consultative session with us.

To your success!

And Now....Introducing...

With great enthusiasm I introduce to you (drum roll please!) Dynamic Team SolutionsWhat was Mediating Solutions has grown up and branched off a bit too!  As a business that has long served organizations whose needs reached beyond mediation and conflict resolution, we finally have a name that reflects the true nature of the services we provide.
Dynamic Team Solutions is your partner in keeping your workplace healthy, productive, profitable, and...dynamic!!         We support you with:

Mediating Solutions - providing conflict resolution and management services. 

Leadership Solutions - with executive coaching and training programs.

Team Solutions - bringing your teams into alignment for better decision making, work flow, and productivity.

We have also built up our team to provide better service and availability to our clients.  We are proud to continue to provide customized projects and programs to fit your needs and circumstances.  

We cannot wait to serve you and to help create a more dynamic experience for you and your employees.  Please, come visit us at www.DynamicTeamSolutions.org

Stop Missing the Signs!

You’ve experienced it before.  The tell-tale end of the road that marks the need for HR intervention.  It appears as a complaint or as a claim of harassment, discrimination, or bullying.  It may lead to a termination, or worse still, the voluntary resignation of a valued employee.  And you wonder - Why am I (especially in HR) the last to know?

HR professionals are often the last to know about issues brewing in the workplace.  Of the many hats they wear, omniscience about the rising tensions between employees isn’t one of them.  And the employees aren’t talking.  Or are they?

All too often the complaints that lead to turnover, legal concerns, performance issues and more are not as hidden as they seem.  HR may even be aware of some of them at an early(ish) state.  But knowing what to do with that information can be just as challenging as knowing what to look for.  Do you get involved when you’ve only learned about an issue through gossip?  How can you determine if the situation requires intervention?  What happens when the issue involves multiple people, a member of the management, or a part of the executive team?  What role does confidentiality play? 

Searching for the answer to these questions further slows the process of managing the issues at hand.  

Here are the Top 5 Situations where Intervention is Necessary.  And a hint - In each, the first step toward addressing the issue is getting more information from those involved:

1. Repeat Complaints.  When a number of people share the complaint, the problem is widespread.  If one person is making frequent complaints, the problem is most likely unbearable for them.  In either event, recognize you're likely hearing only the tip of the iceberg - and you need to find out more.

2. Frequent or Unexpected Turnover or Transfer Requests

Leadership issues, team or departmental dysfunction are precipitators of turnover and transfer requests.  Waiting to see a definitive pattern sends an unfortunate message that either HR/Management doesn't recognize the problem, doesn't know what to do about the problem, or simply doesn't care that the problem exists.  

3. Legal Concerns

When legal concerns erupt HR or Management frequently start by getting in touch with legal, focusing on their departments' record-keeping, and ensuring that all requisite training programs are up to date and documented.  The problem is that time is being wasted. If the issue is minor, there is no need to perform an audit of all record-keeping; if the issue is serious - any delay means you are losing the opportunity to minimize damage or nip the potential problem in the bud.  

4. Arguments or Tensions are Intensifying or Never-Ending

Perhaps you are aware of a problem, but no one has asked for help and there are no concerns about bullying, harassment, or other workplace violations. Whether there are complaints or not, on-going tensions will lead to lowered morale, increased turnover and absenteeism, and more.   Realize, the longer these problems fester, the worse they get.

5. Tensions from Top-level Staff

Human Resource professionals often hit a brick wall when issues come from levels equal to or above their own.  They may feel they lack the authority or simply find they lack the courage to step in.   The concern being, problems at the top are like an avalanche, and can easily destroy all that lies beneath them.  Communication between HR and the executive level team must be fluid and open, allowing for trust, transparency, and growth.

Knowing what to do is just the start of the journey.  If you’re ready to begin addressing your organization’s issues of leadership, teamwork, or conflict, please contact us.

Why I Hate the Law

Do you know what I find frustrating?  Laws.  I find them frustrating because the effort to follow the law often neglects to bring resolution to the problem it’s intended to resolve.  My clients often engage me for this very reason.  They want to bring real change, but simply keeping with the law doesn’t get them there. 

Take for example AB1825, a law enacted in 2007 requiring Sexual Harassment training.  While businesses dutifully follow it, thereby demonstrating legal compliance, there has been no discernable drop in the prevalence of sexual harassment claims in the decade since its inception.  The EEOC study report on these findings was released this summer.  They also found that policies to address discrimination and harassment, though less studied, have similarly poor results. 

Sadly, none of this information surprises me.  Why?  Because AB1825 gave employers a single answer to a multi-faceted problem.  Much like many other laws, the outcomes were an afterthought.  And, once this ‘solution’ is given, businesses no longer have the same responsibility to figure it out for themselves. 

Of even greater concern, the law helps insulate the businesses from legal action.  As a result, businesses who are not inclined to improve, have even less reason for doing so.  The EEOC found evidence of this.  In fact, some of the most pernicious forms of discrimination and harassment were largely ignored by organizations as they were done at the hands of a “superstar”.  Rather than risk the loss of this rainmaker, businesses found ways to work around the problem, often by transferring victims or taking other steps to mollify them. 

So, what can a business owner or HR do?  Here is my multi-faceted suggestion that you can use to bring change to your workplace.

Clarify the Problem

As each business environment is as unique as the people working in it, begin by identifying the people or circumstances that are at the center of complaints.  Then ask yourself, What would need to be different for the problems to stop?  What could make the problems resurface?  As you ask these questions, you begin to hone in on what needs to be done.

Get Creative

Begin by brainstorming – with a small team of thoughtful individuals.  Initial ideas may look like those tried in the past, write them down but keep going and explore alternative ideas.  Create the goal of generating 10 new ideas.  Doing so forces out-of-the-box thinking and is likely to bring you novel and workable ideas. 

Test the Success

Enact the best solutions and see what happens.  Does change come?  Are there unexpected consequences?  Continue to work between creativity and testing out solutions until you find one that yields desired results without dire consequences.

Share Outcomes

The business world needs more ideas – so share what works.  Blog, speak or Post your ideas below!

Lochte-ing Down On Bad Behavior

Ryan Lochte, it seems, has been given a chance to redeem himself to the American public by “Dancing With The Stars.”  I for one, don’t intend to give him that second chance. 

Ryan Lochte embarrassed not just himself, but his team and his Nation on the International stage known as the Olympics.  Once caught, he didn’t even have the decency to apologize or take true responsibility.  He vandalized, he fabricated, and he lied. Ryan Lochte’s behavior is noteworthy beyond the Olympics – because within this incident, is a lesson to be learned for all businesses. 

The Lochtes of the world exist in every industry.  You know who they are.  The marketing genius, the legal whiz, the one who breaks sales records month after month.  They are the champions of their business – and the ones whose bad behavior gets a pass. 

This isn’t about a single incident or indiscretion.  This is about on-going, escalating, and potentially reckless behaviors.  Behaviors that are largely ignored because the benefits (increased sales, new clients) seem to out-weigh the drawbacks.  And in the short term they may.  But high employee turnover, poor morale, damage to the reputation of your business, all have a far greater impact than a quarterly sales bump.

I don’t know Ryan Lochte, but I am certain this was not his first mis-step.  The crime, deception, and repeated lies to cover it up are not the act of a first time offender.   These are the actions of someone who believes they are untouchable and above the rules.  Someone who has been given a pass or a slap on the wrist, but has never been forced to suffer the significant consequences which teach us to adjust our behavior.

Who is like this at your company?  How can a business “Lochte-down” on such problem behaviors? 

1.    Honor the business by building a culture that values long term successes over short term gains.  Especially where sales numbers or share-holder returns are important, it can be easy to become short-sighted.  Remember, the damage done by a tarnished reputation is far more devastating and lasting than a quarterly win.

2.    Address problem behavior every time.  Especially when there is a pay-off for the business.  Yes, you closed a big deal, won the big case, or thwarted the competition, but if these wins came unethically – they aren’t really a win.  And to ignore the problem behavior suggests that it is condoned, or even acceptable.  Every member of the team will become aware of what the company values, and will either jump on that band-wagon (like Lochte’s teammates), or leave the company. 

3.    Hold them accountable.  Have and maintain high standards of behavior.  If an employee behaves inappropriately – be it toward another member of the staff, with a client or toward a competitor, have an action plan for dealing with it.  This may include a write-up, suspension without pay, even termination.  Keep in mind, without a consequence or down-side, most problem behavior will not change.  Ultimately it is the company that models the behavior others will follow – by demonstrating what is and isn’t acceptable.  

      Side-note:  Handle consequences, and even termination, with a level of respect that makes the person want to improve.  (See my article on Off-Boarding.)

4.    Engage in coaching.  Perhaps you can’t bear to lose a champion of your team no matter how bad the behavior has gotten.  Address the behavior directly by bringing in a coach and being crystal clear with the concerns and objectives.  This builds on #2 (Address problem behavior) because there must be honesty about the reason for the coaching if you want it to bring about change.

5.    Speak of the integrity of your business – and demonstrate the sincerity of that message.  Employees want to hear a positive message - one they can stand behind.  They also want to see actions that back up the words.  They will take notice when positive and appropriate behaviors are rewarded, just as they do when challenging behaviors are condoned.    

  

      Each organization must find its own place of pride, just as each Nation does.  The strength of many, can be overshadowed by the mis-steps of a few.  Take steps to "Lochte-down" problem behavior, before it impacts your bottom line.