Explain the features of effective team performance
An effective team is a group of people who work together and work towards common goals and objectives. The members of the team need to be able to communicate and collaborate effectively to function effectively.
In his work, ‘The Human Side of Enterprise’ (1960), Douglas McGregor provided a summary of the most important features of an effective team. These are:
• Informal relaxed atmosphere.
• Relevant discussion with high degree of participation.
• Group task or objective clearly understood, and commitment to it obtained.
• Team members listen to each other.
• Conflict is not avoided, but brought into the open and dealt constructively.
• Most decisions are reached through general consensus.
• Ideas are expressed freely and openly.
• Leadership is not always with the chairperson, but shared as appropriate.
• The team examines its own progress and behaviour.
McGregor’s view of effective teams corresponds to Tuckman’s Stages 3 and 4, i.e. Norming and Performing.
Larson and LaFasto (1989) in their book Teamwork: What Must Go right/What Can Go Wrong identified eight characteristics for effective teams.
1. The team must have a clear goal.
2. The team must have a result-driven structure.
3. The team must have competent team members.
4. The team must have unified commitment.
5. The team must have a collaborative climate.
6. The team must have high standards that are understood by all.
7. The team must receive external support and encouragement.
8. The team must have principled leadership.
Identify the challenges experienced by developing teams
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It can be challenging when new teams are coming together and trying to establish themselves. A manager needs to communicate effectively with the...