The idea that prompted this week's topic is the onset of our company retreat. Our company's executive team consists of individuals living in five different states, as well as four additional locations within one state. We are a team that works virtually. Getting together face-to-face is so important for not only our morale, but also for team building to ensure that our purpose aligns with our personal wants and needs, individually, and as a team. 

Over the years, we have worked with many teams where there was not a clear purpose, focus, or mission. These are the key ingredients or characteristics that will sustain high levels of team motivation, which translates into a unified and rewarding team experience.

The secret to developing win/win solutions is to listen to the people closest to the problem, recognizing that their honest input and insight are vital to team effectiveness.

-John J. Murphy, Pulling Together

Without factual information and timely, candid feedback, teams quickly dissolve into weak, dependent groups, shifting responsibility and ownership for problems to those who are informed.  In many organizations, this results in a crippling "dependency syndrome," an upward delegation of problem-solving and conflict resolution.  Got a problem?  Give it to the boss to solve!

- John J. Murphy, Pulling Together

As geese flap their wings, they create an uplift for the bird following.  By flying in a V formation, the whole flock adds 71% greater flying range than if any bird were to fly alone.

- Author unknown, quoted by John J. Murphy in Pulling Together