Effective Team Building For Organizational Success
"Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common
vision. The ability to direct individual accomplishments toward
organizational objectives. It is the fuel that allows common
people to attain uncommon results." -Andrew Carnegie
Team building and team work is the key driver in organizational
productivity. The days of the lone warrior corporate hero who
could carry an organization to fortune 500 lists with his
charisma and genius are finally over. Organizations are now
looking to build teams with people of complementary skills to
work towards achieving the corporate objectives and goals.
While teams are important in every area of human endeavor
whether it be in sports or volunteer work, the scope of this
article covers business enterprises.
Why teams?
Teams are formed when:
A combination of skills, knowledge and expertise are required to
undertake a particular task. A single individual may not have
such a combination.
On the face of challenges such as falling profits, improvements
in quality standards, putting together a new project, tackle
major change initiatives and cross functional co-ordination in
large and complex organizations. Teams may be formed for many
purposes. The list is only a broad indicator for the kinds of
teams that may be formed.
Stages of team development
Tuckman and Jenson have described the sequence of the team
evolution in their work which is the best model to understand
and manage teams. Teams have to go through certain process
before it can settle down and work effectively. Understanding
the stages of development of the team is key to successful team
management.
Stage #1 Forming
This is the stage when the team members assemble and get
together. People are very polite, get acquainted with each other
and try to assess their own roles in the team. Uppermost in the
minds of the new team members at the formation stage is where
and how they fit in with the team. This stage is marked by easy
acceptance of each other, avoiding controversies and direction
and support from team leader in settling down.
Stage #2 Storming
This stage introduces conflicts and competition as each
individual begins to start work on the plan. Stress of the work
with Individual differences on issues crop up. Sometimes the
issues could be cultural, ethnic or simply an issue of asserting
ones own strength in the overall team equation. Interpersonal
and communication issues dominate this stage leading to a flare
up of conflict and confrontation.
The leader needs utmost restraint and maturity at this stage of
team development. He has to bring forth all his networking
skills, emotional intelligence and people management abilities
in creating the right atmosphere, create winning relationships
between team members and bring their focus back on team vision
and goals.
Stage #3 Norming
As conflicts begin to get resolved, the work flow picks up
speed. People settle down to more harmonious working
relationships. The focus now shifts to common team objectives
and performance related issues. A cohesive team which knows its
strengths and weaknesses now moves to peak performance
leveraging the complementary skills of its members. This is also
the stage where the team leader begins to delegate more
effectively. Giving the team members a certain level of
functional autonomy leads to unleashing the creativity of its
members making for a high performing team.
Stage #4 Performing
This is the final stage where a perfect group identity is
created. There is independence and interdependence, learning as
well as sharing knowledge, speed and efficiency. All glitches
have been smoothened out by the team leader. There are very high
levels of autonomy giving rise to emergence of new leaders. The
performance is it the peak due to high motivation.
A successful team leader understands the different stages of the
group formation and development. He manages the team effectively
by moderating his team managerial styles according to the stage
of development in which the team is passing through.
As the Chinese proverb goes 'A wise man knows everything; a
shrewd one everybody.'