TEAM BUILDING

Ann Gibbons Phalen, Ph.D., RNC

Delaware Valley Association of Neonatal Nurses (DVANN)

September 28, 2007

Introduction

Teams have been part of the human experience since the early Greek

days Sparta (500BC)

Basic concepts and elements of a “Team” remain unchanged

Fundamentals of Team Building

Individual creativity

& competence

Integ

rity

Mutual Trust & RespectEm

pow

erm

ent

Shared Leadership/

Shared Decision M

aking

TEAM

Developmental Stages

Forming

Storming

Norming

Performing

TEAM

Developmental Stages

Forming – team members gain self-awareness and seek acceptance from other members

Storming – stress oriented – members become more task oriented. Time when goals get blurred, personality conflicts and hidden agendas emerge. Resolution depends on effective leadership

Norming – conflicts resolved and roles accepted and strengths and limitations of team members acknowledged

Performing – characterized by productivity, quality decision making, progression towards goals, personal growth of team members

Choosing a Team

• Team building is a way of encouraging individuals to participate together in activities

• Leaders of the team demonstrate knowledge, skill and aptitude

• Members of the team require competence, flexibility, self-confidence, assertiveness, patience at listening, risk taking and self reflective behaviors

Leading When You are Not the Boss

One model is known as Lateral Leadership

Attributes of a good leader• Hard work, integrity and trustworthy • Someone who gets the job done • Does not tell people what to do but

instead solicits others’ input• Informative and knowledgeable

Essential Elements of a Team

1. Collaboration2. Establish goals3. Define and clarify roles for team members4. Establish ground rules5. Set priorities6. Develop a specific action plan7. Think systematically8. Initiate steps towards creating a vision

(visionary plan)9. Learn from the experience – while it is

happening

Guidelines for the Team

1. Good communication2. Demonstrate cooperation3. Asking for and providing help to one

another4. Being friendly and appreciative5. Provide a supportive environment6. Remain as a cohesive work group7. Engage the effort of each member of the

team8. Provide positive feedback9. Keep team members motivated

Characteristics of an Effective Team

• Common purpose/s• Clearly delineated goals• Competent members• Unified commitments/motivation• Mutual accountability• Collaborative relationships• Shared leadership• Good communication• Supportive environment

Problems Associated with Team Effectiveness

• Lack of commitment of the team members to the goals of the organization

• Certain personalities – argumentative or cynical

• Resistance to change• Allowing conflict to fester and remain

unresolved – recognize the source of conflict • Lack of larger (mother) organizational support

DVANN’s Experiences • The team has matured over the years • Set attainable goals - conferences, grow

membership, explore relationships with other organizations

• Stay focused – take small steps each year • Choosing executive members – each current

member seeks out a leader in their organization. Those persons are approached about running for leadership positions.

• Elections – yearly. Only ½ switches out at one time – maintains continuity and achieving goals. Most positions are 2 years – takes 1 year to learn and another to be active

• Set limits to the length of stay on the Executive Board – encourages diversity

DVANN’s Experiences

• Board meets frequently and rotates meeting site

• Try and do some business via email • Reminders about role clarification and

responsibilities – good to repeat at first meeting of the year

• As the chapter grows – becomes more difficult to remain in control. That is when strong leadership is needed. Do not want to lose all the progress achieved.

CONCLUSION

Remember good leadership is the cornerstone to the success of the

organization

EDUCATION AT IT’S BEST:A LIFETIME OF LEARNING

Rachel Palacios, RNC, BSN EPAANN President

Irene Perreault, RNC, BSN EPAANN Vice-President

Debbie Denson, RNC, BSN EPAANN Treasurer/SecretaryLiz Smith, RNC, MSN, CNS

Education Chair

QUARTERLY MEETINGS

• All neonatal nurses in city are invited• Meeting sites are rotated • A CE offering is provided at each meeting• Majority of CE programs are live presentations

by nurses, physicians, lawyers & a variety of healthcare professionals

• Video presentations have been utilized as needed

CONFERENCES

• Yearly Conference • “Name The Conference” Contest• Attendance from El Paso & Southwest

Region• Local Hotels• National & Local Speakers• Corporate Partnerships

Neonatal Nursing… A Labor of Love

• One Day Conference• Linda Lutes• Sue Sheridan• Local Nurse Attorney• Neonatologist

Tiny Babies, Big Issues

• One and a half day• Linda Lutes • Terry Johnson• Susan Staebler• Dr. Carol Berseth• Dr. K. Damus

Neonatal Nursing: A Lifetime of Caring

• Two Day Conference• Paula Meier• Sandra Gardner• Jackie Hoffman• Dr. Gary Freed• Dr. Charleta Guillory• Local Pediatric Surgeon• Vickie Bailey

NEONATAL NURSES DAY

• Dinner• CE Offerings• City Wide Invitation

SCHOLARSHIP

• New Program Spring 2008• Undergraduate Nursing Student• $500.00 per semester

Partnerships

• Key to our Success• Sponsors for National Speakers• Ross Products Division, Mead Johnson

Nutritionals, Children Medical Ventures/Respironics, Medela, Pediatrix Medical Group, March of Dimes, Ovation Pharmaceuticals

EPAANN OFFICERS

Corporate Sponsorship

By: Jennifer Boyle and Linda Reid

Why do you need corporate Sponsors?

Every Chapter needs money

Membership dues alone will not support financial survival

Not only a financial partner, but a community a partnership

Setting Your Funding Priorities

Map out your chapter priorities Annual planning meeting for the coming year Plan must be clear, unambiguous, relevant,

and achievable Include plans sponsors can participate in:

exhibiting at a conference, paying for educational speaker or sponsor a meeting.

Presenting Your Request

Should be self-explanatory and realistically presenting the facts.

Components to include:– Formal letter– Include a strategic plan for

your chapter– Corporate Sponsorship

response form– Documentation that

summarizes activities of your chapter

How to Identify Potential Corporate Sponsors

Review list of Corporate Sponsors from NANN’s website

Vendors that display here at the National Conference

Companies that provide your local hospital with equipment, supplies, services

Check with nursing management, respiratory therapists and pharmacy departments

Look in Advertisements in Nursing Journals

Contacting Potential Sponsors

Call about 2 weeks after request submitted Time to make phone contact

– Promote name recognition of your association– Test compatibility between your association and

the company– Gather reactions to your program/projects– Keep records of your phone calls and when to

follow up

Responding to the Result

Show your appreciation Send a formal thank you

letter List sponsors in newsletter,

conference brochure, association display

Send periodic updates of organization activities

Give small tokens of gifts throughout the year

Encourage members to visit exhibit hall

If a Company Declines Sponsorship

Remember do not take it personally Follow up when a company declines is

important Poor timing, vague request, unavailable

funds, or not interested No may not be forever

Questions?