Team Effectiveness Characteristics - Essay Example

An effective team is composed of a variety of characteristics. It has a clear unity of purpose and each of the member's values these objectives. There is collective participation of the group members in the group discussions. There is also freedom of expression of the varied opinions of the members, and they are considered in the decision-making process. The members also value the differences between themselves, and they are managed effectively (Woodcock and Dave 14). An ineffective team presents with the absence of trust among the members which is presented by the perception of the vulnerability of some members.

Some conflicts arise due to the inability to engage in all the aspects of a passionate discussion. There is also a lack of commitment towards the achievement of the goals and the objectives of the group. There is also a need for accountability of the parties towards the achievement of the goals. The members are inattentive to the results, by placing their considerations above the objectives. Before the teams come together, the goals of the members must be clearly defined by the allocating personnel.

The group will have to meet and familiarize themselves with themselves, and choose a leader for the group. The members should then be open to the suggestion of each of the members to accommodate all opinions (Woodcock and Dave 14). The leader is central in enforcing these considerations because they unite all the members. The team leader provides a guide to the members about the need to achieve the goals of the group. They should motivate the team members, and make them understand the essence of the team.

In case of conflicts, the leader requires to counsel the members and reinforce unity. Any miscommunications should be addressed by the leaders, and apologies made where necessary (Woodcock and Dave 14). The members should also be able to listen and understand the greater dimension of their objectives. They should enhance emotional compatibility, in order to understand the arguments of their colleagues (The Oxford Group). A team must appreciate each other and be motivated toward the achievement of the goals presented.

They should enhance unity and responsibility in the process. The leader is central to motivation, communication, and evaluation of the performance of the members. Each member contributes their talent and commits to the achievement of the goals (Wheelan 24). The behaviors that reinforce a team include unity, discipline, commitment, mutual respect, listening, motivation, and collective participation (Wheelan 24). Disrespect and indiscipline are central to group failure. The propagation of personal conflicts to the group may also sabotage the group.

The behaviors I demonstrate toward team effectiveness include flexibility, respect, and commitment. Flexibility allows me to devise ways of tackling any issues that have likely arisen during the process of achievement of the goals. Respect and commitment make me value the team members, and the objectives of the team. Sometimes I have negative perceptions about certain individuals. This makes me disvalue their contribution to the group. To counter my incompetence, I will ensure that there is a collective commitment to the coursework.

As a leader, I will ensure that there is collectiveness, perfect communication, and motivation among the group members. As a member, I will be committed to the achievement of the objectives. I will respect the contributions of each individual, and avoid prejudgment.