Introduction To Teaming

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Introduction To Teaming
I. Prominence of Teams in the Workplace A.
Self-Directed Work Teams B. Continuous Quality
Improvement Teams C. Participative
Management D. Cross-Functional Design Teams II.
The Nature of Teams A. Teams are defined as
high performing task groups whose members are
actively interdependent and share common
performance objectives.
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B. Advantages 1. A highly motivating work
climate - team spirit 2. Shared ownership of
work tasks - flexible delegation of tasks 3.
Faster response to changing requirements 4.
Higher creativity/motivation and better decision
making 5. Improved cross-functional
communication and problem detection 6. Higher
learning in team members from contact with others
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C. Disadvantages 1. Team meetings can be time
consuming -- consensus building takes time 2.
Poor leadership can produce a lack of team
effectiveness 3. Many people lack team member
skills 4. Differences in commitment/ effort can
lead to conflicts and resentment 5. Disciplinary
differences can lead to communication
difficulties 6. Some teams become overly
cohesive and screen out relevant information
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Processes of Effective Teams
1. Collective Decision Making 2.
Collaboration/Interchangability 3.
Appreciation of Conflict/Differences
4. Balance of Participation
5. Focus 6. Open
Communication 7.
Mutual Support 8.
Team Spirit
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The Nature of Individual Commitment to a Team
1. Willing to Commit Time and Effort 2. Willing
to Work Hard 3. Willing to Identify Team
Membership with Self 4. Willing to Put Team
Goals Ahead of Personal Goals
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Common Team Problems
1. Floundering - part way through the project
you loose focus and momentum 2. Monopolizing
participants 3. Personalizing problems that are
a function of non-personal factors 4. Power
struggles 5. Externalizing - deciding that the
powers that be have made it difficult or
impossible for the team to succeed