Team building and teamwork skills are critical for your effectiveness as a Chama leader. Team building success is when your Chama can accomplish something bigger and investment goals more effectively than a group of the same individuals investing on their own. You have a strong synergy of individual contributions. But there are two critical factors in building a high performance Chama.

The first critical factor of Chama success is that all the members’ efforts are directed towards the same clear goals; the Chama goals. This relies heavily on good communication in the Chama and the harmony in member relationships.  The other important element is the diversity of skills and personalities. When people use their strengths in full, but can compensate for each others weaknesses. When different personality types balance and complement each other.

Here are some additional ideas, techniques, and tips you can try in your Chama for great success.

For starters, make sure that the Chama goals are totally clear and completely understood and accepted by each Chama member.  Also, make sure there is complete clarity on who is responsible for what.  Do your best to avoid overlaps of authority. For example, if there is a risk that two Chama members will be competing for control in certain area, try to divide that area into two distinct parts and give each more complete control in one of those parts, according to those individual’s strengths and personal preferences.

For issues that rely on the Chama decision making and commitment, involve more the whole team in the decision making process. For example, use group sessions with collective discussions of possible decision options or solution ideas. What you want to achieve here is that each Chama member feels her ownership in the final decision. The more she feels this way, the more likely she is to agree with and commit to the decided line of action.

Make sure there are no blocked lines of communications and you and your people stay fully informed.  Work on building trust with your Chama members by spending quality time with them individually in an atmosphere of openness and honesty. Be loyal to your employees, if you expect the same.

Allow your Chama members to build trust and openness between each other in fun activities. Give them some opportunities of extra social time with each other after Chama meetings in an atmosphere that encourages open communication. For example, in a Chama lunch on Saturday.

Also, be careful with interpersonal issues. Recognize them early and deal with them till full resolution.

Make an effort to empower your Chama members and never miss opportunities to do so. Say thank you or show appreciation of an individual chama member’s work.  It is not a good idea to limit yourself to negative feedback. Be fair. Whenever there is an opportunity, give positive feedback as well.  Keep in mind that though building your Chama can be challenging, the

rewards from a successful Chama are worth the effort.

Categorised in: chama management, Chama meetings, Chamas

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