Teamwork Defined and Analyzed for Decades Organizations

¶ … Teamwork Defined and Analyzed

For decades organizations have promoted the concept of teamwork. More and more organizations are creating teams to improve productivity and efficiency. In many organizations across the nation teams are replacing individual employees to accomplish organizational goals and tasks. The idea that many heads are better than one is familiar among employees in corporations large and small.

Many people assume that a group of people working together on a project makes a team. An effective team however, is much more than a group of people working together on a project. An effective team is one that collaborates together to accomplish mutual goals and objectives. Below we'll describe in more detail what it takes to establish effective teamwork and how effective teamwork can benefit organizations.

What Is A Team?

A team may be defined in many ways. Perhaps the most important concept to understand about teams is that teams are more than a group of people. According to Clark (2002) teams are "a group of people coming together to collaborate" (p. 1). This means teams must reach a shared goal or task and hold each other accountable in order to be defined as effective. Clark goes on to say that a group of people doesn't create a team unless the group engages in a high degree of interdependence. An effective team is one that works together to achieve a common goal or accomplish a task, thus an effective team must have a "unifying relationship (Clark, 1).

Effective teamwork is important because it helps an organization maximize human resource efforts and because it results in continuous improvement (Clark, 1). Effective teamwork helps organizations achieve mutual goals and objectives and rise above the competition. Effective teamwork also boosts efficiency and loyalty when accomplished correctly.

What Makes A Team Effective

As mentioned previous, an effective team is much more than a group of people working together. For team members to be effective, they have to commit to each other's growth, development and success (Clark, 1). A team must also cooperate to accomplish all tasks and goals set before them and develop strategies to achieve these goals (Clark, 1). Effective teamwork requires cooperation from all members. If even one member of a team is not on board, the team may risk becoming inefficient and ineffective.

Effective teams also have a mission or purpose in mind when they form, and subsequently develop a set of rules or guidelines on making decisions (Bodwell, 1). Many effective teams are self-directed, meaning they are self-motivated and learn as well as work together (Bodwell, 1). The most effective teams are those that create an environment filled with trust, respect and support (Bodwell, 1).

What Hinders and Effective Team

There are many issues that can lead an effective team to become a non-productive team. Some of the most common problems ineffective teams have include misplaced goals and confused objectives (Robbins & Finley, 1). It is important that every member of a team also believe in the final outcome (Robbins & Finley, 1). If only certain members of a team buy into long-term and short-term objectives, a team simply doesn't have a chance to be effective. All team members must also believe that their goals are reachable (Robbins & Finley, 1).

Sometimes it is difficult for team members to separate their personal goals from that of the team. The very definition of team however requires that all members buy into and accept a group goal rather than an independent one. In many traditional companies competition is fierce and many employers are fiercely independent. They want to ensure their needs are met and they rise to the top of the corporate ladder, no matter what it takes. Many of these same people believe that their personal goals conflict with the concept of a team (Robbins & Finley, 1). It is usually these very people that disrupt the team and prevent the team from being effective.

One way to change negative behaviors like this and create a more positive team is to help all team members understand how helping the team results not only in group success but also personal success (Robbins & Finley,1). While it is important to recognize the team's objectives, undoubtedly each team member will also have personal objectives that need to be addressed. Once these are addressed, all members of the team can contribute more effectively and helped develop group goals in addition to personal ones.

In order for a team to be effective the objectives must also be very clear and directed. In some cases it may be necessary to break objectives and goals down into specific tasks. It is important that some member of the team emerge as the team leader. The team leaders responsibility is to keep the team on track and help clarify goals and objectives (Clark, 1). It is not enough for team members to simply understand the tasks at hand. They must have a firm understanding of the big picture to make the team truly effective.

Effective Team Conclusions

Teams are much more than groups of people working together. They are only effective when members share insights and collaborate to achieve common objectives. For a team to be effective, members must be willing to help others in the group succeed as much as they are eager to succeed themselves. Team members must see themselves as individuals but also group members.

They are many elements of effective teams. Effective teams must include group members who are willing to trust each other, share with each other and work together. Effective teams must also be willing to combine their personal goals with those of the team to ensure the team is productive. Every member of an effective team should be willing to take responsibility for his or her actions. They must recognize how their actions impact not only their progress but those of their peers.