Teams work together, but now and then they also need to play together. Spending a little downtime with teammates is one way to build the kind of camaraderie that makes people comfortable sharing information and ideas. And you don't have to worry about planning elaborate outings. Just get together for a meal—restaurant, potluck, or barbecue at your place—at least once a quarter.
—Adapted from “Fifteen tips for the new manager from an experienced IT pro,” by Beth Blakely, on the TechRepublic Web site
