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How to destroy team morale by following the rules

Each week I receive emails and phone calls from people in organizations who want to create a strong team culture.

Teamwork requires a serious and long term focus on building trust and win-win consciousness.  Virtually every company worth mentioning will announce the importance of "TEAMWORK!" and "TRUST!"

Words are one thing.  Deeds are another.

Take for example Enron.  They had the lingo down.  In their 2000 annual report they stated their top values as "Communication, Integrity, Respect, Excellence".

Enron is dead so let's apply this lesson of creating win-win team culture to another prominent business:  WalMart.

Here's a quote from the WalMart "corporate fact sheet" from their website:

"We're all working together, that's the secret.  And we'll lower the cost of living for everyone, not just in America, but we'll give the world an opportunity to see what it's like to save and have a better lifestyle, a better life for all.  We're proud of what we've accomplished; we've just begun."  Sam Walton

Now watch this video which shows how the WalMart lawyers work to destroy the sense of team culture and trust within their own organization! by following the rules!

You can read an article about this fiasco HERE

Comments

michael cardus

Tom,
Thank you for this post
although I caution you and the readers to be aware of how they contribute to this "Big Box" phenom.
Target-Lowes-Home Depot-BJ's-Bed Bath & Beyond-
These stores all have the same health care policy and probably would have done the same thing. THe challenge is that as a "team" our culture is shifting with globalization. I do not think that Wal-Mart did is right - Realize that we are all to blame for supporting these organizations with our $$. Like all good team we must hold each other and the team accountable for actions that we do not approve of.

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