Team, Types of Team & Effective Team

Team

A team is a group of people who collaborate on related tasks toward a

common goal.

A team is a group of people who work together toward a common goal. Teams
have defined membership (which can be either large or small) and a set of
activities to take part in. People on a team collaborate on sets of related tasks
that are required to achieve an objective. Each member is responsible for
contributing to the team, but the group as a whole is responsible for the
team’s success.

Characteristics of Effective Teamwork

An effective team accomplishes its goals in a way that meets the standards set
by those who evaluate its performance. For instance, a team may have a goal
of delivering a new product within six months on a budget of $100,000. Even if
the team finishes the project on time, it can be considered effective only if it
stayed within its expected budget.

Effective teamwork requires certain conditions to be in place that will increase

the likelihood that each member’s contributions—and the effort of the group
as a whole—will lead to success. Effective teams share five characteristics:

Effective teamwork requires that people work as a cohesive unit. These five
characteristics can help individuals collaborate with others by focusing their
efforts in a common direction and achieving an outcome that can only be
reached by working together.

Different types of teams prepare an organization for different reasons. In this

section,

Here are five different types of teams that currently exist:

Working Teams
Working teams are teams that are basic to any organization: Marketing teams,
Human Resource teams, Finance Teams. They are divided according to their
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Team, Types of Team & Effective Team

function and they perform ongoing tasks for any organization. Traditionally,
majority of organizations are organized in such a way.
Pros: Efficient, functional and task-oriented. Each department fulfills a clear
role in the organization. Little mis-communication about cross-functional
responsibilities.

Special Purpose Teams

Special purpose teams are teams that are formed to fulfil a special purpose or
a one time off project. These teams include working committees for a
particular event, or a committee that comes together to solve a particular
problem.
Usually, these teams are not permanent and they are usually disbanded once
the purpose of the team is served.

Pros: Synergistic, multi-disciplinary team set up to achieve a special goal.

Members are chosen according to what is necessary; will be essential.

Cons: Takes team members away from their current responsibilities due to
conflicting schedules and objectives. Takes time to build synergy.

Multi-functional Teams
These teams consist of members formed from different areas of expertise.
They may come together for a short term basis or sometimes they’re formed
permanently. This depends on the nature of the organization they work in.
Pros: People with different disciplines will offer multiple points of view. Expect
innovation and different ideas to come out of meetings. Brings out potential in
each individual.

Cons: Only useful for project-based organizations, or for a project purpose.

Make take time to build synergy.

Self-Directed Teams
Self-Directed Teams do not have a clear leader. They have shared leadership
and share responsibility of their work. We do not often see self-directed teams
in companies and big organizations; they usually exist in small music groups
like bands.
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Pros: Members are motivated volunteers. Shared goals, objectives and

responsibilities. Good environment for open feedback.

Cons: May not have clear vision. Without a leader, conflicts may lead to
separation. Leader is usually determined by popularity more than ability.

Management Teams
Management Teams are like the board of directors of a company. The
directors or managers come together to deliberate on strategic and macro-
issues that affect the whole organization. This function is traditional and an
necessary extension if the organization has work groups.
Pros: Important function in organizations with work groups and cross-
communication is needed. Able to see the organization in a big-picture with
perspectives from different departments. Effective in making things happen.

Cons: May not see what is happening on the ground; out of touch with
realities. May turn into a fight for political power if leader does not manage it
well.

Why have Team Building Activities Become so Popular Nowadays?

Team building activities have become an essential part of our living

environment. Whether it’s in business, education, or even creative and
collaborative enterprises, people now turn to team building activities as a sure
fire way of bringing people together. However, there is a chance that in this
widespread acceptance of them as a practice, many people simply engage in
the practice without even considering the productive benefits that have made
them so popular in the first place. Here’s a quick rundown of some of the
major benefits you will see during team building activities:

A streamlined group dynamic

Those confident in leadership roles will tend to come to the fore, but without
any official hierarchy in place the process develops organically throughout the
team. Cooperation is the ultimate factor in creating successful team building
activities and relationships quickly form around the most efficient means of

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working together. This will also help to identify some of the less confident
team members and encourage the group to work together in bringing them to
the fore.

Strengths and weaknesses are made visible

The team building activities will make people become more intuitively aware
of others’ capabilities. This knowledge can be used to more effectively
apportion work to those most capable and provide help to those most in need
of it. Through this process of internal team building not only will the team
become a self-sustaining entity, but it will allow for increased understanding
between participants. This understanding will also go in to defining suitable
tasks and setting achievable and desirable goals within the group.

How to Build Effective Teams

One of the greatest responsibilities of a leader is to push the team towards

better performance. The relationships within the team are essential in that

aspect. An effective team will definitely outperform a disconnected collective,

where people work individually.

The process of team building is nothing abstract, but it demands a great deal

of effort on the part of the leader. There are many challenges that leaders

have to overcome to create great teams. If you’re interested in how exactly

you can build an effective team, we have 7 tips for you to follow.

1. Understand What a Great Team Is

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Team, Types of Team & Effective Team

Flawless teamwork doesn’t just occur out of the blue. It demands conscious

efforts from all individuals within the team including the leader. A great team

consists of a few elements that must be present at all times:

Clear objectives – each team member must be aware of the meaning of a

particular activity as part of a larger objective. If, for example, you ask the

team to engage in blogging for the sake of business promotion, they must

understand how this blog will help the organization achieve higher objectives.

If they don’t see the purpose of the task, they will fail and you’ll have to invest

additional funds to outsource that task to a writing service.

Clear roles – everyone within the team must be aware of the hierarchy and

their role in it.

Flawless communication – whenever someone has a question or gets an idea,

they should be able to communicate it. The communication within the team

must be as smooth as possible.

Cooperation – teamwork is not about individual achievements; it’s about what

the group accomplishes together.

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Individual development within the team – although it’s teamwork we’re

talking about, the individual must not lose their authentic voice throughout

the collaboration.

A great team is the one whose work is based on clear objectives, clear roles,

clear communication, cooperation, and opportunities for personal

development. Remember that recipe and you’ll be on the right way towards

building an effective team.

2. Establish Strong Leadership

If you want to know how to build an effective team, you must learn how to be

an effective leader first. Only an effective leader has influence even when they

are not around. That influence pushes the team to work effectively throughout

all group and individual activities. Manny Hernandez, CEO of Omni, Inc. says,

To lead a team effectively, you must first establish your leadership with each

team member by building relationships of trust and loyalty, rather than fear or

the power of your positions. You need to be involved and in touch with the

day-to-day activities in the workplace, and when there are clues that a

problem might exist, you should step in and address the problem as a leader.

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The right kind of leadership does not mean imposing authority in an

authoritarian way. It means fostering trust through transparency and an

honest approach. You don’t have realistic chances to be with your team at all

times, but you must be open enough for them to approach you with any issue.

There are a few things that will help you establish effective leadership:

Big picture vision. All your decisions must be transparent and guided by a

greater perspective.

Delegate tasks and responsibilities. Delegate in the most effective way

possible. Do not overwhelm individuals with too much work while leaving

other members of the team with tons of free time.

Communicate clear goals. Know your team's purpose and be able to help them

understand it by communicating clearly and without room for

misunderstanding.

Be honest and friendly to an acceptable extent. You’re the leader, after all, so

you do need some authority. However, show your human side to your workers

and they will be more willing to follow your lead.

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3. Build the Connection Between the Team Members

The leader must continuously evaluate the way the members of the team work

together. Ideally, your team should be self-sufficient and perform without you

having to lead them through every step. Your job is not done by forming the

team and giving instructions, but rather guiding your team to work well with

one another more effectively.

Here are a few ways to help members of the team to familiarize themselves

with each other's roles and work styles:

Team-building exercises. Simple activities to help members build trust and

letting them know they can depend on one another can go a long way toward

increasing your team's effectiveness and productivity.

Improve cooperation among team members. Try different things such as

taking them all out for lunch or an after-work get-together. Encourage them to

get to know each other. Ask them about their hobbies and interests, so you’ll

take the conversation on a more personal level. If possible, invest in a fun

activity, such as a workplace wellness program.

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Encourage them to collaborate! When you hire someone new, assign a mentor

to introduce them into the workflow. Mentorship programs are great for

developing connections!

You should always be aware of the fact that conflicts and misunderstandings

will occur. Your role as a leader is to solve those issues in the most amicable

way possible. Invite both sides to share their arguments and listen to them.

Then, act as a mediator towards the most acceptable solution.

4. Establish a Connection with Each Team Member

As a leader, you must get to know each team member as an individual. Each

person has a specific set of skills, as well as interests and drawbacks. When you

know these things, you can match each worker with the right task. That’s the

best way to help them boost their productivity and become more satisfied

with the job.

Work to build trust and engagement with each employee on a personal level.

Find out how their unique skills, interests, and strengths can be used to

improve the team's output. As you build your trust in them, they, in turn, will

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be building their trust in you and the company to provide the necessary

resources needed for them to grow and succeed.

You shouldn’t get too personal with the employees, though. Congratulating

their birthdays and attending their weddings (when invited) should be enough

to keep the connection going. However, remember that you’re the leader and

you must keep these relations professional.

5. Invite Contributions And Collaborations!

Harnessing the power of your employees' ideas can really help your company

grow. You want to inspire the practices of contribution and collaboration for

each and every member of the team. Bridgette Norris, of EcoSecretariat says,

Businesses thrive when they have a diverse team of people who can

contribute individual ideas. Teamwork really helps to bring new ideas. Having a

team come together, everyone has a voice and is not afraid to express their

opinion. As we are in the social media business we always need new, fresh

ideas to succeed in this competitive and ever-changing environment.

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You can create an environment like this only if you start contributing and

collaborating yourself. The team members will follow your example. In

addition to serving as a good example, you should encourage trust and

cooperation among the employees, too. Pay close attention to the way the

team works together and take specific steps to improve the level of trust and

cooperation.

You may encourage them to share more information about the progress of

their tasks. Ask for frequent reports and feedback so that you can evaluate the

level of contribution and collaboration of each individual and within the group

as a whole.

These simple things will provide a transparent workplace environment that

allows everybody to see the bigger picture and feel more personally invested

in the overall progress of the company.

6. Invest In Team-Building Events

Different types of team-building events will develop strong relations and the

sense of community within the team. These types of events are a great way to

foster better communication and collaboration amongst team members. If

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approached in a way that is both educational and entertaining, it can create a

memorable experience that creates lasting friendships and partnerships.

Leonard Ang, CMO of Iproperty Management shares his experience:

In order for us to build effective teams within our company, we ensure to

always have a team-building [event] planned twice in a year. This is to help our

employees learn more about each other in ways that don't involve work. They

get to do activities that strengthen their bond and help them see a different

side of each other. This helps them when they’re in the office since they not

only have a relationship as workmates but they have built something more

than that.

7. Monitor And Review

Evaluation techniques are part of the process of developing a great team. You

need to use obvious metrics, such as financial measures to evaluate the

success of the team and each individual in it. When you set precise goals, you

must measure the achievements at precise intervals of time.

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