The Term Of Teamwork & Effective Teamwork Objectives

One of the first questions with regard to understanding teams is to determine what a team is and how it differs from a group of people. A group can be defined as “two or more individuals who are connected to one another by social relationships” (Forsyth, 2006). Katzenbach and Smith (1993; 2005) break down the differences between groups and teams even further. According to their classification system, a group includes the following: a strong, clearly focused leader; a system of individual accountability; an emphasis on running efficient meetings. On the other hand, a team includes the following: a process of sharing leadership roles; a system with both individual as well as mutual accountability; an emphasis on open – ended discussion and active problem – solving during meetings.

Unfortunately, teams may fail to perform as well as can be expected of them (Hill, 1982). This is typically because there is something lost when people work together and thus the team is not as successful as individuals working alone might be. Steiner (1972) terms this problem process losses, which is any loss due to faulty processes of teams. These faulty processes might result from any number of team problems, such as unprepared team members, an inappropriate team structure for the task, poor coordination, miscommunication, faulty decision making, or high interpersonal conflict.

And, this is only a small number of the reason why teams struggle to reach their full potential. (Group Dynamics and Team Interventions: Understanding and Improving Team Performance; Timothy M. Franz; 2002). Effective teamwork can increase organizational productivity and job efficiency. Teamwork can reduce human errors and promote job satisfaction. Teamwork can also help maintain safe conditions in complex and stressful environments. Indeed, teamwork can make organizations better and help accomplish their goals and missions. (Improving teamwork in organization: Applications of Resource Management Training; Eduardo Salas, Clint A. Bowers, Eleana Edens; 2001).

To increase teamwork in our company, Alpha – Colmar Chemicals, the managers of each department must communicate to all teams members in a meeting on every Monday what’s the plan and target for whole week so all teams will know what’s their duty and what’s important for company and how they can do it and they will feel part of company. Also the manager of Alpha – Colmar Chemicals should create team group between Alpha and Colmar teams so they can improve communication as well and they can know each other better and Alpha teams will not continue to regard themselves as a group apart. They should change the places as well for few weeks or days, Alpha teams can go in Stockport and Colmar teams can go in Manchester. End of every week managers of Alpha – Colmar Chemicals should invite all teams in meeting and tell them how is was going on that week and how they can improve their skill. They must encourage and reward their teams.

Leadership is the combination of characteristics or personality traits in an individual that compels that person to inspire others to achieve goals that, without the leader’s motivation, would not normally be accomplished. In an organizational setting, leaders have a clear mental picture of where the organization is, where the organization needs to go; and how the organization is going to get there. Leaders present a clear path for followers to take to accomplish a task or goal. (Leadership in Organizations: There is a Difference between Leaders and Managers; David I. Bertocci; University Press of America; 2009).

Leader must be able to do the job, but ability alone is not enough. True leadership requires a willingness to be bold, to consider unusual approaches to problems, to do more than just follow tried-and-true methods. Leaders are self-confident and no need to put others down to feel good about themselves. They are willing to stand up for their ideas and debate them with others. Good leaders must also be sensitive to the feelings and needs of others. These needs are not always clearly expresses. Sometimes people do not even know what they want or need. Talented leaders are able to “read” the people around them and adjust their own behavior accordingly.(Leadership skills: third edition; Ferguson Publishing; 2009). Teams innovate more when creative sparks are encourages, and robust debate is welcomed.