How To Create Effective Teams

“Teams cannot be created, they must be built.” -Vivette Payne

 

What is an effective team?

Although the terms “team” and “group” are used as synonyms, they are in fact distinct in their definitions.

Team vs Group

“A workgroup is a number of persons usually reporting to a common superior and having some face to face interaction, who have some degree of interdependence in carrying out tasks. For the purpose of achieving organisational goals.”

A group’s performance depends on what the members do as individuals. The result is the summation of each group member’s individual contribution.

They lack positive synergy in a group that would create an overall level of performance that is greater than the sum of the inputs.

Teams, on the other hand, include both individual results as well as collective work products. In a team, positive synergy is created through coordinated efforts.

The team’s performance is greater than that of ordinary groups (as well as the summation of individual performance).

A team is superior in terms of characteristics, it demands a higher commitment, interdependence and interaction to a group goal.

 “A team is a small number of people with complementary skills who are committed to a common purpose, set of performance goals and approach for which they hold themselves mutually accountable.” - Jon Katzenbach and Douglas Smith

Hence a team can be a group but a group cannot be a team.

Characteristics Of A Good Team

A clear sense of direction

The first characteristic of a good team is a clear sense of purpose and measurable objectives. This leads to the unification of the group and every team member can know why the team exists.

Clear communication

When the team is able to communicate freely and effectively with you, they are more comfortable sharing their insights and ideas. This is one of the main reasons why modern businesses place emphasis on communication and collaboration tools.

Collaboration spirit

Precise and skilful communication is a trait you’ll find in high-performing teams. The more you collaborate and communicate the better products you get.

Playing by the rules

Every team should have a set of rules which determines its operating procedures and acts. This helps to keep the team on track and eliminate any ambiguity.

Defined roles

Skill sets, specific roles and thinking styles are important for teams. If the development of a new product is needed, the team will need a detail-oriented person who can keep the team on track.

Differences in opinions

The members need to agree on common goals. It’s not about suppressing secondary ideas and opinions. Diverse opinions within in team may enhance team performance.

Mutual accountability

High performing teams are ones that accept responsibilities as individuals and as a team. The members of the team shouldn’t play the blame game.

Team trust

Effective teams naturally focus on solving problems. A sense of trust develops when team members are allowed to translate their views freely.

This is why managers and team leaders often undertake team building exercises and problem-solving activities which inevitably put everyone in a position of trust.

Decision making

In any effective team, there is a built-in decision-making system and a hierarchy in which it operates. Each member has their own area of expertise and should be respected. The leader obtains the members’ opinion to formulate an appropriate response.

Trusting the team

Trust takes time to develop, but it is important nonetheless. There are exercises and activities you can hold in your organization in order to cultivate trust within your employees or your team.

Trust must be recognized as an integral trait in the workplace.

Innovation

Collaboration

Creative thinking

Productivity

These are some of the reason why you must induce trust in the workspace.

Building trust in the workspace

Keeping communication straightforward and truthful is vital to business success. Your team members should be confident enough to stand up for what they believe in.

In the end, we’re all just human, we make mistakes. But there’s no point in hiding the mistakes or covering it up. Your team should be confident enough to own up to their mistakes and learn from them.

Mutual Support

Studies show that teams engaging in mutual support

• Are more effective in the long run
• Make fewer errors in tasks appointed to them
• Have the ability to self-correct
• Assign and distribute responsibilities appropriately
• Relocate work assignments when it is needed
• Tend to be more resilient

Team members should seek support when they are overburdened, stressed, lacking in skill to perform a task or when they are making errors.

Just as some members seek to support it is the duty of others to offer support to their team members when they notice their teammate struggling.

Even providing social support can go a long way in creating a commitment to the team and lessening the stress and burnout that the team may experience.

Disagreements are common amongst team members. This is an obstacle that can delay the achievement of the team’s goals and productivity.

Organizational environment

Businesses tend to go the extra mile to get the very best out of their assets (their best employees). Some offer money, lavish gifts, cars etc. in exchange for loyalty and productivity, while others might get creative.

The working environment has a direct impact on employee productivity and morale of the team. Hence focusing on generating a workspace that is conducive for the wellbeing of the team is crucial.

The measures that are taken will vary according to the industry sector and the type of work that is being carried out. But some key steps to creating a good office environment are

• Good air quality
• The lighting

Apart from this, you can improve your organizational environment by indulging in team-building activities that bring your employees closer together.

Create memorable team building experiences for your team and boost employee engagement along with productivity.

Happen to like this blog? Share it with your team or people who you think might benefit from it. Think we forgot to add something? Have something to say? Let us know in the comment section below.