No matter what business or organisation you are in, managing or even own. If you do not have functional teams you are a lost cause.
I have been lucky enough to lead and manage 2 nationally awarded and recognised teams.
ROYAL AIR FORCE TEAM
My RCDM Aeromed team were an exceptional group of professional experts. We, for my 5 years as operational manager facilitated the repatriation of some 220 casualties per month for 5 years from worldwide operational zones. It was a 24/7 operation requiring a multitude of diverse, resourceful, forward-thinking, team and communication skills to facilitate the casualties transfer from say a bed in Afghanistan to a clinical bed in Birmingham, the UK with a seamless transition resulting in not 1 second or less specialist clinical care. We were the ducks’ legs under the water running around continually while the patient just floated from one space to another.
OLYMPIC MEDICAL TEAMS
A few years later while Senior Operations manager for the Main complex for the London 2012 Olympics at Stratford I managed a team of some 400 volunteers daily. Providing all medical support to the Athletes, in-stadium crowds, on-field emergency trauma teams and the Olympic village complex crowd medical centre. Teams from A&E consultants to first aiders all on board, all engaged, all supported and all 100% committed to the cause. Post games the medical support team Gamesmakers received national recognition for their excellent work and above and beyond representing the values of the Olympic games.
OPTIONS FOR CHANGE
How do you engage a team?
How do you inspire a team?
How do you create an environment where the team are in line with the company vision and plans?
CREATING A WINNING TEAM
It’s all about open communication, it’s about utilising all the experience and subject matter experts within the team, It’s about inviting and opening dialogue for ideas.
It doesn’t mean you have to take everything on board and commit action to it. It’s about the individuals in the teams feeling valued and listen to. That is what they think matters. Even if you do not implement their ideas, but providing adequate reasoning why not and still inviting continual input keeps the team on board, engaged and feeling worthy and listened to.
Empowering the team through their value is the key to success.
