Working with Teams

Teams v. Groups A group is a collection of two or more persons to interact with one another in such a way that each person influences and is influenced by the others. A group is a collection of two or more persons to interact with one another in such a way that each person influences and is influenced by the others. A team is a group but is characterized by a higher level of interdependence, skill levels tha are unequally distributed, and a more defined objective or goal. A team is a group but is characterized by a higher level of interdependence, skill levels tha are unequally distributed, and a more defined objective or goal. Given authority to cut through or get around established bureaucracy Given authority to cut through or get around established bureaucracy Opportunity for personal development Opportunity for personal development

Types of Teams Functional Teams – all members perform the same or similar tasks Functional Teams – all members perform the same or similar tasks Work Teams – members perform dependent tasks Work Teams – members perform dependent tasks Self Managed Teams – free of management oversight Self Managed Teams – free of management oversight Cross Functional Teams – members are selected for key expertise to support a goal or project Cross Functional Teams – members are selected for key expertise to support a goal or project Quality circles Quality circles Project Teams – short term in scope, addresses a single problem or project Project Teams – short term in scope, addresses a single problem or project Management Teams – Provides coordination and direction to subgroups. Management Teams – Provides coordination and direction to subgroups. Virtual Teams – Connect worldwide, loose associations Virtual Teams – Connect worldwide, loose associations

Team Performance Forming Forming Interpersonal process Interpersonal process Norming Norming Developing roles and group cohesiveness Developing roles and group cohesiveness Storming Storming Goal setting Goal setting Performing Performing Problem solving Problem solving

Characteristics of High Performing Teams Empowerment to reach goals Empowerment to reach goals High levels of cohesiveness and role differentiation High levels of cohesiveness and role differentiation Strong goal setting, task definitions Strong goal setting, task definitions Avoidance of social distractions Avoidance of social distractions Coordination of activities, decision making, problem solving, communication Coordination of activities, decision making, problem solving, communication Shared values, attitudes, and interests Shared values, attitudes, and interests Leadership characteristics are task oriented, multiple leaders Leadership characteristics are task oriented, multiple leaders Quality of work, goals are set high Quality of work, goals are set high 2+2=5 2+2=5

Goal of Team Building Achieve concensus on objective Achieve concensus on objective ID problems ID problems Develop plans, set goals Develop plans, set goals Develop cohesion among members Develop cohesion among members Establish team culture Establish team culture Utilize skills from all members Utilize skills from all members Establish agenda, monitor progress Establish agenda, monitor progress

Disadvantages of Teams Social Loafing (particularly in larger teams) Social Loafing (particularly in larger teams) Production Blocking Production Blocking Group Maintenance Group Maintenance Domination of individuals Domination of individuals Reward structure Reward structure

Decision Making in Teams Active Listening – respect all ideas Active Listening – respect all ideas Brainstorming Brainstorming Fishbone diagram (cause and effect) Fishbone diagram (cause and effect) Pareto Charts Pareto Charts Consensus Building or Multivoting Consensus Building or Multivoting Avoid Group Think Avoid Group Think Recognize the advantages and disadvantages of personality types Recognize the advantages and disadvantages of personality types Recognize out of the box thinking Recognize out of the box thinking Gantt Charts Gantt Charts Task Assignments Task Assignments