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Team Building Interview Guide

Purpose

1. To collect data on the strengths and weaknesses of the team.
2. To collect data to plan a team building intervention.
3. To explain the team building process to the participants.

Group Size

The suggested format is individual interviews. Therefore, a maximum of twelve or, at most, fifteen people is recommended. Beyond this size, a written survey is the preferred data gathering tool.

Time

A minimum of thirty minutes and a maximum of one hour for each interview.

Physical Setting

A private office or small meeting room.

Materials

A sufficient number of blank copies of the Team Building Interview Guide.

Process

1. Begin the meeting by introducing yourself, your role as a team building consultant, the purpose of the interview, the format of the interview, what will happen to the data, who will see the data, how will it be used in the team building process and the confidential nature of the interview.
2. Give the person a copy of the form and explain that you will ask the questions on the form and write the answers on your copy.
3. If you do not know the person, you may wish to begin by asking him or her for a job description. Then move on to the questions on the Team Building Interview Guide. Probe and follow-up on answers as appropriate.
4. At the end of the interview, go back over the form and review your notes with the person. Ask if you have accurately captured his/her ideas and opinions. Review what will happen to the data and what are the next steps in the team building process.
5. Thank the person.
6. Review your notes before the next interview and add any final thoughts.

Variations

1. If conditions do not allow for individual interviews, use the Team Building Interview Guide to conduct a series of small group interviews. Record the answers on a flip chart.
2. Add or delete questions to tailor the guide to your specific team. For example, with a new team you may want to ask about concerns people have about being on a new or start-up team. With a cross-functional team you may want to ask about relationships with people from other parts of the company.
3. An alternative approach is to use a survey instrument. See Activity 15, Characteristics of an Effective Work Team: An Assessment Activity [in 50 Activities for Team Building, Volume 1].

Team Building Interview Guide

1. Briefly describe your team(s) in terms of membership, structure, purpose, etc.

2. What are the key challenges facing your team now?

3. What do you see as the strengths of your team?

4. What areas need improvement?

5. What changes would make the team more effective? (Probe for things the team can do and things the organization can do to support the team.)

6. Are the roles clear? Is everyone clear about what is expected from them?

7. How would you describe team meetings? Are improvements needed?

8. How does your team handle internal conflict?

9. How does your team interact with other teams, clients and key stakeholders in the organization?

10. What would make this team building session successful for you? What would you like to see happen as a result of the session? What would you personally like to walk away with?

11. What else should I know that would help to make this event successful?

Reprinted from Glenn M. Parker and Richard P. Kropp, Jr. 50 Activities for Team Building, Volume 1, HRD Press, 1992.