What is a team?
In the best of all possible worlds, teams are formed deliberately and carefully to meet work needs that an individual or a group of individuals cannot meet as effectively. Although many groups are called "teams", not every work group is a team. In a work group, performance is a function of what its members do as individuals. The focus in a work group is individual goals and accountabilities. A team's performance is measured primarily by the products produced collectively by the team.
Teams share certain characteristics, including a clearly defined purpose (mission) and goals. Teamwork is defined by a shared commitment both to the team's process (how the team works together) and to its product (what work the team accomplishes). This commitment to team process is demonstrated through the development and use of team norms and groundrules, a willingness to pay attention to group process, and a sense of mutual accountability both to the members of the team as individuals and the team as a whole.
Types of teams
Project teams are usually time-limited teams formed to complete a particular task. When the team completes its task, it disbands. Standing teams (sometimes called "intact" teams) are formed as on-going organizational units. Teams that bring together members from different departments or functions are called cross-functional teams.
What makes a team successful?
There are several factors identified as key to a team's success. They include:
* Shared understanding of the team's mission
* Commitment to the team's goals
* Clearly defined roles and responsibilities
* Agreed-upon groundrules
* An established decision-making model
* Effective group process including commitment to open communication, mutual accountability and appropriate self-evaluation (see the Communicating with Others learning topic for more on open communication)
Working on a successful team (sometimes called a high-performing team) can be an exciting and empowering experience. When a team is working well, each member knows that he or she is part of something bigger than the individuals involved - that the team is greater than the sum of its parts. Team members in high-performing teams have a sense that the team can overcome obstacles and realize its goals. Communication is open; members can state their opinions knowing that differences of opinion are valued. Most importantly, successful teams don't just "feel good", they get their work done, meeting deadlines and achieving their goals.
Courtesy: Human Resources At MIT
From India, Gurgaon
656In the best of all possible worlds, teams are formed deliberately and carefully to meet work needs that an individual or a group of individuals cannot meet as effectively. Although many groups are called "teams", not every work group is a team. In a work group, performance is a function of what its members do as individuals. The focus in a work group is individual goals and accountabilities. A team's performance is measured primarily by the products produced collectively by the team.
Teams share certain characteristics, including a clearly defined purpose (mission) and goals. Teamwork is defined by a shared commitment both to the team's process (how the team works together) and to its product (what work the team accomplishes). This commitment to team process is demonstrated through the development and use of team norms and groundrules, a willingness to pay attention to group process, and a sense of mutual accountability both to the members of the team as individuals and the team as a whole.
Types of teams
Project teams are usually time-limited teams formed to complete a particular task. When the team completes its task, it disbands. Standing teams (sometimes called "intact" teams) are formed as on-going organizational units. Teams that bring together members from different departments or functions are called cross-functional teams.
What makes a team successful?
There are several factors identified as key to a team's success. They include:
* Shared understanding of the team's mission
* Commitment to the team's goals
* Clearly defined roles and responsibilities
* Agreed-upon groundrules
* An established decision-making model
* Effective group process including commitment to open communication, mutual accountability and appropriate self-evaluation (see the Communicating with Others learning topic for more on open communication)
Working on a successful team (sometimes called a high-performing team) can be an exciting and empowering experience. When a team is working well, each member knows that he or she is part of something bigger than the individuals involved - that the team is greater than the sum of its parts. Team members in high-performing teams have a sense that the team can overcome obstacles and realize its goals. Communication is open; members can state their opinions knowing that differences of opinion are valued. Most importantly, successful teams don't just "feel good", they get their work done, meeting deadlines and achieving their goals.
Courtesy: Human Resources At MIT
From India, Gurgaon
Secrets of Successful Teams
by Chris Widener
To be a success is not always to be a success individually. In fact,
most of the time we achieve our successes as part of a team.
We are all part of teams. Our family is a team. Our place of work is
a team. The community groups we belong to are teams. Sometimes we are
the team leader or "coach," while other times we fulfill the role of
follower, or "player." It is so important then for us to understand
teams and how they work, especially those who achieve success - the
achievement of their desired goal.
In my life I have been on some successful teams, and some not so
successful teams. This includes both athletically as well as
professionally. When I was growing up, I worked for seven years with
the Seattle Supersonics, our local National Basketball Association
team. They were at times unsuccessful, and, in 1979, my second year
working there, the most successful team in the league, winning the
World Championship. I have been able to see firsthand what makes the
difference between the unsuccessful teams and the successful ones.
Here are some principles that I know, when implemented on a regular
basis, can turn any lackluster team into an outstanding one! These
principles can be applied to your family, your business, your
organization, and yes, your sports team.
Communication/Leader
The leader needs to communicate the vision. If they are setting the
pace, they need to let people know where they are going so that the
team can follow. The coach always does a pre-game talk, laying out
the vision.
The leader communicates the vision frequently, so as to always be
updating the team as to where they are at and what changes need to be
made. The coach doesn't relegate the direction he gives to the pre-
game, he coaches and communicates all the way through the game.
Team
Watch a good basketball team. They are talking to each other all of
the time. Helping one another out, encouraging one another, praising
one another, and telling each other how they can make changes so the
same mistakes aren't made again. The same is true of successful teams
in the professional world and in life in general.
Excellence
The truly great teams are teams that are committed to excellence. In
everything they do, their goal is to achieve at the highest level.
And this commitment is held throughout the team and at every level. A
successful team cannot have members who are not committed to
excellence because in the end they will become the weak link.
Followership
If you want a fascinating read, pick up The Power of Followership, by
Robert Kelley. The author basically makes the point that the secret
to getting things done lies not only in great leadership, but in how
well the rest of the people, 99% of the team, follows the leadership.
Good teams are filled with people who are committed to following and
getting the job done.
Understanding Roles
Pardon the Chicago Bulls analogy, but it is so clear. When the game
was on the line, with only one shot left, everyone, the coaches, the
players, the 20,000 people watching in the stadium, and millions
watching on TV, knew who would shoot the last shot. That was Michael
Jordan's role.
Every team works best when the members of the team have clearly
defined and understood roles. Some do one thing, others do another.
One isn't better or more important than the other, just different.
When teams operate out of their strengths and their roles, they win.
Strengths and Weaknesses
This brings me to strengths and weaknesses. Every team member has
strengths and weaknesses. The successful teams are those who on a
regular and consistent basis enable the members to operate out of
their strengths and not out of their weaknesses. And what is one
person's strengths will cover another's weakness. This is teamwork,
enabling all of the bases to be covered.
Fun
The team that plays together stays together. Is your team all work
and no play? If you're smart, that will change. Get your team out of
the office once a month and go have some fun. Enjoy one another.
Enjoy life. It will bring a sense of bonding that can't be made even
in "winning."
Common Goals and Vision
I have found that these need to have three aspects. Short, simple and
clear. Can you say it in less than 30 seconds? Is it simple? Can you
and others understand it? Does the team all know what they are
working together for?
Appreciation
All through the "game," successful teams appreciate one another and
show it in a variety of ways. The coach shows it to the players, the
players show it to the coach, and the players show it to one another.
Here is a "Successful Teams" Checklist for you to evaluate with.
Is there communication between coach and players and from player to
player?
Is your team committed to excellence?
Do those on the team know what it means to follow?
Does everyone on my team know their specific role?
Do the individuals on our team regularly operate out of their
strengths as opposed to their weaknesses?
Does our team take a break from time to time to just have fun
together?
Do we understand our common goals and vision? Can we all state it
(them)?
Is there a sense of and communication of genuine appreciation among
my team?
Chris Widener is an internationally recognized speaker, author and
radio host. Chris is the author of five books and over 30 audio
series as well as over 350 success articles. Chris demonstrates a
style that is engaging and versatile while providing life-changing
principles of leadership, motivation and success.
From India, Pune
by Chris Widener
To be a success is not always to be a success individually. In fact,
most of the time we achieve our successes as part of a team.
We are all part of teams. Our family is a team. Our place of work is
a team. The community groups we belong to are teams. Sometimes we are
the team leader or "coach," while other times we fulfill the role of
follower, or "player." It is so important then for us to understand
teams and how they work, especially those who achieve success - the
achievement of their desired goal.
In my life I have been on some successful teams, and some not so
successful teams. This includes both athletically as well as
professionally. When I was growing up, I worked for seven years with
the Seattle Supersonics, our local National Basketball Association
team. They were at times unsuccessful, and, in 1979, my second year
working there, the most successful team in the league, winning the
World Championship. I have been able to see firsthand what makes the
difference between the unsuccessful teams and the successful ones.
Here are some principles that I know, when implemented on a regular
basis, can turn any lackluster team into an outstanding one! These
principles can be applied to your family, your business, your
organization, and yes, your sports team.
Communication/Leader
The leader needs to communicate the vision. If they are setting the
pace, they need to let people know where they are going so that the
team can follow. The coach always does a pre-game talk, laying out
the vision.
The leader communicates the vision frequently, so as to always be
updating the team as to where they are at and what changes need to be
made. The coach doesn't relegate the direction he gives to the pre-
game, he coaches and communicates all the way through the game.
Team
Watch a good basketball team. They are talking to each other all of
the time. Helping one another out, encouraging one another, praising
one another, and telling each other how they can make changes so the
same mistakes aren't made again. The same is true of successful teams
in the professional world and in life in general.
Excellence
The truly great teams are teams that are committed to excellence. In
everything they do, their goal is to achieve at the highest level.
And this commitment is held throughout the team and at every level. A
successful team cannot have members who are not committed to
excellence because in the end they will become the weak link.
Followership
If you want a fascinating read, pick up The Power of Followership, by
Robert Kelley. The author basically makes the point that the secret
to getting things done lies not only in great leadership, but in how
well the rest of the people, 99% of the team, follows the leadership.
Good teams are filled with people who are committed to following and
getting the job done.
Understanding Roles
Pardon the Chicago Bulls analogy, but it is so clear. When the game
was on the line, with only one shot left, everyone, the coaches, the
players, the 20,000 people watching in the stadium, and millions
watching on TV, knew who would shoot the last shot. That was Michael
Jordan's role.
Every team works best when the members of the team have clearly
defined and understood roles. Some do one thing, others do another.
One isn't better or more important than the other, just different.
When teams operate out of their strengths and their roles, they win.
Strengths and Weaknesses
This brings me to strengths and weaknesses. Every team member has
strengths and weaknesses. The successful teams are those who on a
regular and consistent basis enable the members to operate out of
their strengths and not out of their weaknesses. And what is one
person's strengths will cover another's weakness. This is teamwork,
enabling all of the bases to be covered.
Fun
The team that plays together stays together. Is your team all work
and no play? If you're smart, that will change. Get your team out of
the office once a month and go have some fun. Enjoy one another.
Enjoy life. It will bring a sense of bonding that can't be made even
in "winning."
Common Goals and Vision
I have found that these need to have three aspects. Short, simple and
clear. Can you say it in less than 30 seconds? Is it simple? Can you
and others understand it? Does the team all know what they are
working together for?
Appreciation
All through the "game," successful teams appreciate one another and
show it in a variety of ways. The coach shows it to the players, the
players show it to the coach, and the players show it to one another.
Here is a "Successful Teams" Checklist for you to evaluate with.
Is there communication between coach and players and from player to
player?
Is your team committed to excellence?
Do those on the team know what it means to follow?
Does everyone on my team know their specific role?
Do the individuals on our team regularly operate out of their
strengths as opposed to their weaknesses?
Does our team take a break from time to time to just have fun
together?
Do we understand our common goals and vision? Can we all state it
(them)?
Is there a sense of and communication of genuine appreciation among
my team?
Chris Widener is an internationally recognized speaker, author and
radio host. Chris is the author of five books and over 30 audio
series as well as over 350 success articles. Chris demonstrates a
style that is engaging and versatile while providing life-changing
principles of leadership, motivation and success.
From India, Pune
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