by admin | Sep 10, 2015 | free team building tips
“I’ve been appointed a team manager at a software consulting company. I was really happy with my luck in securing the position, until I found the mountain of problems awaiting me. Apparently, the previous manager swept a lot of employee and performance issues under the rug and it all didn’t come out until a week after his last day! According to the company’s database, projects were often submitted behind schedules, and some employees were rude and condescending to clients. To make things worse, one of the other developers doesn’t respect me. Because of his decade long tenure in the company, he thinks the position should’ve been given to him.” I got this email sometime in July, and after a bit of pondering I’ve decided to share it with you here. This situation is more common than you think. Companies often hire outsiders, especially if they feel no one in the team has the capacity to turn things around. Hopefully, not many of you are experiencing a similar situation. But if you are, here’s what I suggest: Here’s How to Fix a Dysfunctional Team. Assess the Situation Don’t just barge in demanding changes and implementing new rules without knowing what’s actually happening. On your first day, gather the whole team to introduce yourself and hold a team meeting. Let them know you’re aware of the issues, and ask for their own account of the incidents. Ask open ended questions, and don’t put blame on anyone even if information says otherwise. You want these people to open up and trust you, to tell you their side of the story. After everyone...
