How to Build a More Productive Team
When I was in kindergarten, I knew how to tie my shoes.
I know, this is not impressive, but it is significant because many of my classmates did not know how to tie their shoes.
Let me tell you, as soon as word got around the playground that I could tie shoes, my life became a lot more difficult. Every day before recess, I found myself sitting on the carpet, tying nearly everyone else’s laces before I got to head out to the monkey bars.
Even as a five year old, I remember thinking, “This is such a pain in the ass!”
Fast forward 21 years, and some of my workplace experiences are eerily similar to my kindergarten days. Of course all my coworkers can tie their own shoes, at least as far as I know.
But as some of my classmates lacked the fundamental ability to loop-de-loop and pull, some of my co-workers lack the fundamental skills that make an efficient and effective employee.
The example that comes to the front of my mind is proficiency in Excel. In my line of work, we spend most of our time in Excel. Being able to format data, write basic formulas, and display data in a coherent manner is crucial for success.
Just as I sat on the carpet in kindergarten, lacing sneaker after sneaker, I often find myself looking over a shoulder, talking somebody through a VLOOKUP or a pivot table.
The difference between my kindergarten perspective and my workplace perspective lies in my relationships to the respective individuals.
Kindergarten success doesn’t depend on teamwork, but workplace success does.
Where I got frustrated in kindergarten and quickly tied the shoes so I could head to recess, I try to take my time in the workplace. I do my best to pass my knowledge along to my co-workers.
This makes me as an individual more productive because I’m not interrupted by repeated questions. It also makes us as a team more productive because team members are leveling up their skills.
If anyone ever feels bad about interrupting me to ask a question, I try to make light of the situation. “Don’t worry,” I say, “I’m teaching you to fish.”
When I entered the workplace, I also lacked many basic skills, but I had gracious co-workers who followed the same philosophy and taught me to fish. I have many things left to learn, but now I have a few things I can pass along.
I think there are two takeaways here:
First, regardless of the field you are entering, do some research to find a few basic skills you may need on the job, and spend time learning those skills. I promise this will put you ahead of the curve.
Second, most jobs require team work, so if a co-worker is lacking a basic skill, lend a hand – teach him to fish.
