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How do you know if your team is structured right, whether it is working well or whether it is a team at all?

This course will give you clarity over the characteristics of cohesive and dysfunctional teams, as well as a detailed explanation of team structure and team format for a deeper understanding of the purpose, strengths and weaknesses of each team. Throughout the two chapters, you will also explore the role of a leader in different types of teams and why it is important to identify the team you need before building it in order to achieve your goals successfully.


Definition of team

Let's revisit the concept and meaning of team before you delve deeper into this course. Teams come in many shapes and sizes and are organised in many ways. At it's essence,  a team is a group of individuals (human or non-human) working together to achieve a goal and share the responsibility and the rewards. It usually comprises of 3-12 people and if there are more than 12, sub teams form. Traditionally,  organisations structure a team around a manager or leader who then delegates work and activities to get the work done. Often the members operate in silos, focusing on individual goals and activities and only sometimes, working together to achieve an outcome. This is team by hierarchy, and teamwork is rare. You can be part of multiple teams and hold different roles in different teams.  Later in this course we will explore different types of teams and which structure might work best for you.

If you want to see how others are redefining teamwork and how work is done, watch this video and notice the questions that come into your head? Could this work for you? If not, why not?

Example

How many teams are you in and what role do you play? 

A leader may be on the board, the leadership team, a project sponsor and lead a team of their own. Even in sports we see multiple teams within a team. In rugby, football, motor racing, there is a single goal, but sub teams with captains who support their “unit” to interact with the greater team. No one person on the team is more important than another. 

Cohesive and dysfunctional teams

Cohesive team

In a cohesive team, the team members stick together and stay united to achieve a common goal. In this type of team, everyone contributes to the overall success of the group and make sure that the group goals are successfully met. The cohesive team members will focus on the group as a whole, motivating and supporting each other to meet the objectives. Cohesive teamwork is a critical ingredient for organisational success.


Dysfunctional team

In a dysfunctional team, "teamwork" isn't the priority. There’s a lack of trust and commitment to team goals and success which, ultimately impacts team performance.

Members may put their own needs, work and focus on themselves first, ignoring the impact on others.  Moreover, since no one is focused on the results, nor takes accountability for the teams’ mistakesthe team will get damaged and this will affect the workplace culture in time. 

Peter Block

-organizational development expert-

There is a desire in each of us to invest in things that matter, and to have the organisations in which we work be successful…Our task is to create organisations we believe in…to be part of creating something we care about so we can endure the sacrifice, risk, and adventure that commitment entails. That’s team work motivation.

Characteristics of a great team:

  • Clear roles - when everyone knows what they're doing, they know what they are expected to do in order to achieve their goals.
  • Responsibilities - when responsibilities are clearly shared within a team, the team members understand the contributions needed to ensure the overall success.
  • Values - with clear organisational values, the team members will know how to support the purpose of the team and even the company itself.
  • Goals - when the team has meaningful goals to work towards, they work together as a more efficient and collaborative component.
  • Clarity - with clarity present in a team, everyone is more confident to take action since they understand that what they are doing is leading to the achievement of goals.
  • Feedback culture - when you incorporate feedback into your company's culture, this will foster growth, and improve communication and productivity.

Remember.  As LeaderX, you have a role in the team but you are no more important than any other member and, therefore, you must learn how to “do” teamwork and "be" a team member. Do this and then you will be able to lead different types of teams and identify the team you need to build to achieve your goals successfully.

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