In my organization team work is used heavily. I have noticed that in teams there seems to be one or two individuals who run the group becasue they are the most vocal while the rest of us fall in line and one or two who do nothing. What is the best way to promote team work where all individuals have an equal say?

Create the expectation that everyone must participate. Rotate the meeting facilitator role and make sure all voices are given an opportunity to be heard. Establish firmer ground rules in the team meetings about lobbying for postion. It really falls to a good facilitator and it needs to be put out there as a "rule of play" in team work that every person at the table must put in at the meeting and move the thinking forward.

JLN: I agree with Jen. Besides doing a rotation for the facilitator role, give the teams a presentation on effective meetings, how to be an effective meeting facilitator. Also, let the team members evaluate in which stage of development they are and let them define what do they really need to move to next phase.

Good Luck,
Ines Serra
www.comunicasolutions.com

JLN,

not sure that even in a perfectly functioning, well-oiled, legendarily successful and experienced team, that all players do or even SHOULD have an equal say.
BUT, all of them do HAVE a say. Roles and responsibilities determine who has what and to what extent.
I would concentrate not so much on teamwork, but on leadership. If the expectation is that the leader need draw the best from her/his group, then that leader best be canvassing the group for input. This may not happen automatically and may need some helping along.
Train the leaders to lead...and leading does not mean holding down the "transmit" button at the risk of missing some pretty profound input from all members of the team.

A leader receives, collaborates, decides, transmits and then supervises.

sf,

Boom

JLN,

I very much agree with Boom.

It is amazing as adults how little time is given to "learning how to communicate."

Not everyone will lead in every situation or project.

First of all, is the work being completed. If so, is being completed in excellence.

My curiosity has me wondering:

Why is this an issue?
Why now?

One final thought that comes to mind; are you focusing on the strengths of your team members or on the weakness?

Stay focused on the weakness and you will be the beneficiary of "The Peter Principle." Everyone reaching their highest level of incompentency.

I recommend the book "Now, Discover Your Strengths, Marcus Buckingham"

Also, it might be helpful to learn more about team facilitation. A great resouce is Tom Heck at http://www.TeachMeTeamwork.com.

Respectfully,

James B Smith

When being YOU is the only choice!
http://www.alifeofpossibility.com/biy/astd/