Question

A. What are the three key components/categories of effective teams?

B. Under each of these categories, discuss briefly a few of factors that add or detract from team effectiveness and why.

Answer 1

Team:

An organization consists of a set of individuals with different set of background working towards one objective\goals and they are known as a team.

The below are the three components of an effective team:

1. Bonding: For a team to be effective, a harmonious relationship within individuals is a must. When a set of people with different thinking and behavior work as a team to achieve a common objective, a sort of unity is needed. This bonding builds over a period of time but it depends on the manager to build and sustain it which is a big concern.

2. Communication: An organization success depends upon proper communication within and outside the team. When a manager communicates what he needs from the team the team members would be clear on the end result expected. This would avoid confusion and non-clarity at a work. But it turns out to be a concern when the manager is not effectively able to communicate in the employee’s language/way.

3. Work towards single goal: A team has to be focused on the set goals for them. Every individual’s contribution is must to succeed the organizations goal. So it is understandable that team members should not work in different directions. Bringing them in the same direction is the major task and lots of effort needs to be put by the manager.

Few factors that add or detract from team effectiveness are explained below:

Bonding: Few factors which add or detract to bonding component of a team are stated below:

ADD:

a. Problem solving skill grows when a team works in unity

b. Learning culture comes into picture through bonding

c. Improves communication within the team.

DETRACTS:

a. Unproductive time increases if the teams are not responsible.

b. Time consuming activities need to be involved to build this bonding.

c. Non-cooperation is a failure for the whole bonding exercise.

Communication: Few factors which add or detract to bonding component of a team are stated below:

ADD:

a. It ensures higher productivity and positive results.

b. Eradicates errors and mistakes and avoid confusions.

c. Meets deadlines and delivery dates.

DETRACTS:

a. Miscommunication leads to failure of any project

b. Leaking of sensitive information is possible through too much communication.

c. Loss of control by the leader is even possible through over communicative.

Work towards single goal: Few factors which add or detract to bonding component of a team are stated below:

ADD:

a. Improves idea generation and creativity.

b. Productivity as a whole tends to increase

c. Increase morale and motivation.

DETRACTS:

a. Reputation of work is possible since the whole team is working towards single goal.

b. Personality clashes may take place in the whole process.

c. Reduces innovation and raises responsibility issues.