Module 7 - Teams and Team Work

TEAMS AND TEAM WORK Module

71NagarajShenoySlides

Team

A team is a small group of people workingtogether to achieve a common purpose forwhich they hold themselves collectivelyaccountable.

A team generates positive synergy throughcoordinated effort.


Features of a Team Self defined goals Commitment to the goals Shared accountability/responsibility for results Shared leadership Possess Complementary skills Trust and support other members Efforts lead to Synergic effect Network system (instead of hierarchical system of groups)

for reporting and communication Open communication system Mechanism to resolve differences and reach consensus

within In summary, teams create the potential for an

organisation to generate greater outputs with no increase in inputs.


Comparing Groups and Teams

The differences between a group and a team may be summarised as below:

Group Point Team

A function of what its members do as Performance Performance includes individual efforts and collective

Individuals work products which are the result of joint,

coordinated attempts

Strong, clearly focused leader Leader Shared leadership roles

Individual Accountability Accountability Individual and mutual accountability

Runs efficient meetings Meetings Encourages open-ended active, problem-solving meeting

Random and varied Skills Complementary

Neutral (sometime negative) Synergy Positive

Discusses, decides and delegates Functioning Discusses, decides and does real work together


Types of teams Problem Solving Team: A group of 5 to 12 employees from

the same department who meet to discuss ways ofimproving quality, efficiency and the work environment.

Self Managing Teams: Teams that are empowered to makedecisions about planning, doing and evaluating theirwork.

Cross Functional Team: It brings together persons fromdifferent functions to work on a common task.

Virtual Team: It is a team that uses computer technologyand groupware so that geographically distant memberscan collaborate on projects and reach common goals.


Teamwork

Teamwork occurs when group members work together in ways that utilize their skills well to accomplish a common purpose.

Team wok, of course, does not just happen. To create a high performing team, a leader has to employ certain techniques.


Techniques create a High Performing Team

Communicate high-performance standards. Set the tone in the first team meeting. Create a sense of urgency. Make sure members have the right skills. Establish clear rules for team behaviour. As a leader, model expected behaviours. Find ways to create early successes. Continually introduce new facts and information. Make sure members spend a lot of time together. Give positive feedback and reward high performance.


Roles of Team Members

Task Specialist Role Socio Emotional Role

People who play the task specialist role display People who support team members emotional

the following behaviours. needs play the following roles:

Initiation: Propose new solutions to team Encourage: Warm and receptive to others

problems. ideas; praise and encourage others to

draw forth their contributions.

Give opinions: Offer opinions on task solutions; Harmonise: Reconcile group conflicts; help

Give candid feedback on others suggestions. disagreeing parties reach agreement.

Seek information: Ask for task relevant facts. Reduce tension:May tell jokes or in other ways

draw off emotions when group atmosphere is

tense.

Summarise: Relate various ideas to the problem at Follow: Go along with the team; agree to other

Hand; pull ideas together into a summary perspective. team members ideas.

Energiser: Stimulate the team into action when Compromise: Will shift own opinions to maintain

interest drops. team harmony.


Teambuilding

The teambuilding process begins whensomeone notices that a problem exists whichcan be solved through collective efforts.

Members then gather data concerning theproblem analyse the data, plan forimprovements and implement the actionplans.

Every one is expected to participate activelyand perform certain specific roles aimed atimproving the effectiveness of the team.


Effective Teambuilding Behaviours of members

Speak respectfully to one another Listen attentively Express feelings honestly Seek help when needed Make commitments seriously Support the team and each other Focus on problems and solutions

Behaviours of leaders Serve as the team's champion Demonstrate trust, respect and openness consistently Share power and information Help members find answers on their own Coordinate activities properly Offer encouragement and support


Building trust in Team

Trust is a key element in building teamwork. When work group

members trust one another, there will be a more active

interchange ofinformation, more interpersonal influence and

hence greater self-control. To build trust, a leader should,

Support work team wholeheartedly

Keep people informed about what is going on

Learn to appreciate and give credit to people

Share your feelings with members

Use interpersonal skills to move closer to the hearts of

people


Team Development

To be effective, teams need to be small.Members must have interpersonal and problemsolving skills.

They must listen and appreciate each otherspoint of view.

Team leaders should be capable of handlingdisagreements on goals and responsibilitiessmoothly, resolving delays and disputes whenmaking decisions and reducing friction andinterpersonal conflicts.


Effective Team Development Tips

Balanced roles Create a balanced set of roles.

Open communication Develop communication and process awareness.

Handling stress Diagnose and manage stress.

Team choices Understand team preferences.

Team goals Define team goal.


Effective Team Development Tips

Review mechanisms

Establish review mechanisms.

Shared leadership

Share leadership and create equality of contribution.

Facilitation skills

Develop facilitation skills for effective meetings.

Shake off the constraints of the past

Confront issues and problems.

Consensus

Decision making based on consensus. 14NagarajShenoySlides

Any Questions?

End of Module 7

NagarajShenoySlides 15

Module 7 - Teams and Team Work

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