If you want to make sure that your cross-functional teams fail, do
the following:
10. Ignore the team's ideas and recommendations. They're probably
no good since they're new and they come from a team.
9. Don't give teams any resources to help them solve any
problems. They're supposed to save money and make do with
less.
8. Consider all problems as failures, and treat all failures as
a reason to disband teams. Teams are supposed to make things
better, not cause problems.
7. Require lots of reviews and signatures to okay changes,
purchases, and new procedures. You can't be too careful these
days.
6. Make it difficult for teams to get information about the
business. You don't want them to find out how the firm is
really run.
5. Assign a manager to keep an eye on teams in your area. Call
the person a facilitator (it sounds good), but make sure he or
she controls the direction of the team and tells you about any
deviations from your plan.
4. Don't involve team members in reorganizations or policy
changes. This just slows things down.
3. Eliminate training for team members. Problem solving is only
common sense anyway, and all that training just makes some
consultant rich.
2. Criticize a lot, but withhold praise and recognition. Teams
need to know where they're screwed up so they can change. If
you praise people, they'll expect some reward.
1. Remember above all that you know best. That's why they pay
you the big bucks. Never let team members forget that.