WOTCON: Sessions & Speakers

In this opening session Charles and Dick will set the scene for the conference by looking at the changes that have taken place in team development since Team Management Systems (TMS) was founded 25 years ago.

When Charles and Dick started their research into TMS there was little understanding of why some teams succeeded while others failed. There was much more emphasis on ‘command and control' and little understanding of how people approached work and why they behaved the way they do.

As we move though the second decade of the 21st Century, technology is having its greatest impact on the ways teams are working and new ideas in team development are appearing regularly. There is an even greater need for the science of human behaviour to be understood and implemented at the team member level.

Most projects come in late and over budget – and some never finish! In this session, Stewart Mitchell will share his experience of using the Team Management Systems (TMS) tools to build positive teamwork and leadership in project operations.

Particular emphasis will be given to the management of the 3P's (Politics, Personal Agendas and Personalities). Stewart will use examples from his experience with project alignment and project leadership in the mining, manufacturing and service sectors.

The session will explore:

• How to apply the Types of Work Model to project planning
• Using the Team Management Profile (TMP) and Linking Skills to develop project team ground rules and a project team charter
• The High-Energy Teams Model as a framework for project alignment

This session will outline the design of the High Performing Teams Program, a key part of building a High Performing Culture within Ergon Energy.

Karen and Amanda will discuss the design of the program, utilising the Team Management Systems (TMS) tools and how they positioned the program in the business to create pull from leaders.

The session will explore

• Hallmarks of an effective behavioural change program to build High Performing Teams
• The criticality of flexibly responding to the business environment
• The power of a program versus individual activities

Involving participants makes learning more enjoyable, productive and effective. This session is about experiencing some simple games, activities and strategies that are easily applied to your next workshop without creating new materials.

You will:

• Save time and effort by learning ready-to-run exercises
• Inject interactivity into your programs with new games and activities
• Share workshop ideas with other practitioners

It used to be that the biggest staffing problem people leaders had to deal with was high turnover. Today, the real issue is engagement - finding a way to get people to do more than just turn up to work physically. It's about finding ways to engage them mentally and emotionally. The solution used to be team building but you don't build people, you grow them! So how do you grow an engaged team? Just like a gardener you need to get the right combination of factors in place to allow people to grow naturally.

In this presentation Karen will take a look at how you can take some of the same techniques that gardeners use to grow healthy plants and apply them to growing a thriving organisation.

You will learn how to:

• Develop the right culture and select the right people
• Choose the right job roles for maximum growth
• Tend to your people: what good leaders do
• A step by step plan for growing engagement levels

Teamwork as we knew it in organisations is dead. In this presentation Lindsay focuses on the elements that are now needed to work in "Teams That Work".

Lindsay will share his current research that shows teams now function in entirely different ways. In today's fast paced business environment business owners and leaders have to take into account a different set of factors when addressing the make-up and management of their teams. With organisations downsizing, resizing and remodelling it is imperative to have the right tools to manage the key to your organisations success, your teams!

You will learn how to:

• Understand why people's values get in the way of their ability to deliver what you want in the team
• Harness the power of the Stages of Teams That Work
• Understand the impact of people's perceptions on recruitment, training, quality and leadership practices within your organisation
• Harness the unique talents of your best performers to achieve more

Arguably, the most effective leaders are not only intellectually intelligent (‘book smart') but are ‘street smart' as well. This broader definition of Leadership Intelligence describes those who are self, socially and strategically accomplished leaders who have the ability to adapt and shape their organizational environment.

In this presentation Paul will describe his research into the core leadership elements of self and social insight that lead to mastery in these areas and the ability to think and act strategically – the requirements of ‘The Intelligent Leader'.

It is always great to have the opportunity to learn from your peers. In this interactive panel discussion, others will share with you their tips and strategies on how they market TMS to their clients and the outcomes they achieve. Take the time to hear from some very successful small business owners, regarding how they have grown and developed their business for more than 20 years, with TMS as their supplier of choice.

Practical observations of the best (and some worst) of modern leadership practices. Ron has been coaching and mentoring some great (and some not so great) organisational leaders for over twenty years. He shares his observations on the changing face of effective leadership for the coming decade; the new "Leading Edge". The session will provide practical "Leading Edge" approaches, tools and strategies Ron has seen employed by some of the best team and organisational leaders he is working with.

Brian will discuss how he has applied the Team Management Profile internally, to develop the consulting skills of his team at PricewaterhouseCoopers, and also externally, to assist his client's team development on business transformation projects.

This session will start with a unique opportunity to discover the wealth of new data and features in Research Manual: Fourth Edition firsthand from Nikki Mead at the Institute of Team Management Studies. An insight into the work of the Institute and the customized support services available for network members will also be outlined.

Next up is a collaborative and energizing session with Sarah Eqbal that explores how research can enhance your workshops. As a TMS trainer, Sarah is well positioned to show you how not just to incorporate the latest norms and results but how to bring the numbers and your program alive!

As a bonus, all attendees will receive a complimentary copy of the Research Manual: Fourth Edition (valued at $88).

Hear the true story of the AFR Midnight Rambler, and the challenges its crew encountered in winning the 1998 Sydney to Hobart Race. This 628-mile, blue water ocean race is considered one of the toughest in the world. As the starting fleet of 115 boats sailed south down the coast of Australia, an unexpected "weather bomb" - a massive storm descended upon the fleet. Six sailors perished in the maelstrom, and another 42 were saved in what became the largest search and rescue operation in Australia's history. Arthur Psaltis, a key member of the winning crew, tells his story and its application to teamwork at the edge.