Contents In This Issue GUEST ARTICLE: Teamwork by Lee Ellis COACHING CALL TO ACTION COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IDEAS AND INFORMATION ABOUT ANDREA NOVAKOWSKI PASS IT ON

GUEST ARTICLE:
Teamwork
by Lee Ellis

Have you stopped to think, "why teams in the first place?" Fundamentally, there are three primary reasons why individuals band together. First, to prove the strength of mutual support. There is strength in numbers; and, whether it's in platoons, work teams, tribes, neighborhoods, or nations, individuals seem to realize that the odds of survival and success increase when they're part of a group.

In addition to protection, mutual support enables a joint effort that provides the power needed to do work projects that are too large to be done by one person. Remember how our ancestors teamed up to raise heavy beams and stones to build houses, barns, and bridges.

Also, there is the issue of companionship. Generally, people want to be part of a community. We all have some innate needs for friendship and a sense of belonging, so we tend to form associations with others to meet our social needs; and, many of these are met through our relationships at work. Teams also provide us the opportunity to gain efficiency and effectiveness through a division of labor. By banding together, a group of individuals can blend an assortment of unique individual talents and skills to achieve what would not be possible working alone (Ellis, 2003, p. 151).

Reference: Lee Ellis (2003). Leading talents, leading team: aligning people, passions, and positions for maximum performance. Chicago: Northfield Publishing.

Reprinted with permission from the OSU Leadership Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, (614) 292-3114, www.leadershipcenter.osu.edu.

	COACHING CALL TO ACTION
I play on a women's soccer team on Sundays. This year our team joined with another existing team. Why did we do it? Alone, our teams weren't strong enough and consistent enough to get the work done. As I review the interactions at yesterday's game, I can see there is some work we all need to do to make this a successful team. Starting with the question: "Has this team formed for the three primary reasons? This week as you look at the teams you belong to or are beginning to put together, ask yourself the same question. With your findings, decide what tweaking or major changes you need to make.

	COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Warm Welcome to Fellow Attendees of The Center of Women's Leadership Conference at Babson College A warm welcome to our new Coaching Tip of the Week subscribers who Coach Andrea met last week at The Center of Women's Leadership Conference at Babson College last Friday. It was a pleasure to talk to you about your work challenges and successes. Warm Welcome to Realtors Doing Business with Milford National Bank and Trust A warm welcome to our new Coaching Tip of the Week subscribers who we met Wednesday morning at the Milford National Bank and Trust's hosting of our program "Empowering Yourself." We enjoyed sharing our tools for gaining control of your life. October 28, 2004 Empowering Yourself at Keefe Tech Continuing Education Do you feel like you need to make a significant change in your business or personal life and would like some support to address these issues? Andrea will provide her 5-step program for gaining control of your life. This seminar is scheduled for Thursday, October 28th, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at Keefe Tech, Framingham, MA. To reserve your place, please call 508-935-0202. October 28, 2004 Pounce on a Project VII This is the 7th offering of Pounce on a Project. Don't "they" say that it takes 7 times to hear/see something before you pay attention? It's time! Join us in October to complete the project that will make the biggest difference in your work or life. Come to "Pounce on a Project VII." Here's what participants are saying: "I accomplished a big section of my newsletter re-design that had been stalled on my 'to do' list for many months. Having the support of the group helped me bypass my procrastination and tackle my project with energy." -- D.W., Certified Financial Planner, MA "Pounce on a Project had me tackling my project head on. Completing it felt so good! Once I started, the angst disappeared." --K.J., Environmental Professional, MA "I'm no longer putting off what I love to do!" -- K.N., Business Owner, TX "I had to get all of my marketing material organized and sent to my advisor. Where was I going to find the time? Pounce on a Project gave me 4 hours of uninterrupted time to easily complete my plan!" -- A.N., Business Owner, MA "Pounce on a Project enabled me to fulfill a long time goal of mine, while energizing me to undertake other projects that I had been putting off." -- L.W., Software Test Engineer, MA "The simple structure of commitment and accountability had me easily complete my project." -- C.S., Business Owner, England "I learned I can use this time to accomplish many small projects I've been putting off. Hooray!" -- A.P., Freelance Writer, MA Did you know that incompletions and clutter can drain your energy? As we begin the fall season, are there projects or spaces you need to "clean up" to feel successful? In preparation for our next get together, consider the following: ** What do I need to let go of? ** How can I simplify? ** What needs to be done to get better organized? ** What needs to be stored for future use? Join Andrea on Thursday, October 28th, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Eastern. We will join as a group by phone and declare what you want to accomplish: planning your pricing strategy for your new products, finishing your website, making those cold calls, organizing your office, simplifying your filing system, or cleaning under your bed. During the morning, the group will gather by phone a few times to check progress and get any support needed to finish with a bang. At noon, the group will celebrate their accomplishments. Who says projects have to be boring and tedious? Bring your lightness and fun and join us for the energization. To sign up or learn more, call or e-mail Andrea by noon on October 27th. Feel free to share this with friends and co-workers, the more the merrier. (Cost of the program is only the cost of long distance phone calls.)

	IDEAS AND INFORMATION
A Suitable Image, in Framingham, MA, provides professional outfits for low income women who are in job training or educational programs and preparing for a job interview. As you are transitioning into your fall clothes, I hope you will consider a donation of your gently used business attire to A Suitable Image. For more information, contact Linda Brooks, Executive Director at 508-620-3993 or go to www.suitableimage.org.

	ABOUT ANDREA NOVAKOWSKI
Coach Andrea's Coaching Tip of the Week is brought to you by Andrea Novakowski, Master Certified Coach who provides Business and Personal Coaching to Corporations, Businesses, and Individuals. Andrea is a professional coach who partners with people to set goals and create momentum to produce effective results in their business and/or personal lives. Andrea is available for individual coaching. If you are serious about reaching your goals and living with greater fulfillment and satisfaction, consider using a coach. To schedule a COMPLIMENTARY initial consultation, send an e-mail to Andrea at andrea@coachandrea.com.

	PASS IT ON
Please feel free to pass on Coach Andrea's Coaching Tip of the Week to your friends and colleagues. To subscribe, click the "Subscribe" button below. You may also subscribe at http://coachandrea.com. We never send unsolicited e-mail. If you have received this message and you did not subscribe yourself or you wish to unsubscribe your e-mail address from the list, please click the link below. You may also unsubscribe at http://coachandrea.com. If you need to get in contact with us directly (if you have trouble subscribing/unsubscribing, or have questions about the list itself), send an e-mail to andrea@coachandrea.com. Copyright 2004. When you forward Coach Andrea's Coaching Tip of the Week to your friends and colleagues, please keep the copyright and contact information intact. Coach Andrea Focusing your vision, achieving results

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