Workplace Teams - Essay Example

 The past decades have brought key changes in the organization and execution of work in a workplace. According to Gamauf (2012) a group-based activities like the task work groups, project teams, and management teams, and task forces are now common. Gamauf states that these are groups of persons working normally together without an official supervisor to complete particular tasks in the workplace. The people in a group decide together the available time, and the best means and resources to accomplish a task. Each team member is more responsible than if there was a supervisor as each one has a greater responsibility. Workplace teams are, usually, happier as individuals, and more efficient and effective than groups with chosen supervisors. This literature review discusses from different scholarly sources the advantages, drawbacks, characteristic of an effective workplace team, and means of creating effective groups. Origin of Workplace Teams The structural shift from a top-down management system to a team-based management led to the creation of workplace teams. Many companies adopted the team-based approach because it enhances innovativeness and problem-solving abilities of the company. People can brainstorm on problems and propose ideas that are more optimum compared to a single person working. It enables a company that adopts it to be agile as its workforce is agile. Workplace teams are thus, important in a changing environment. Therefore, every student ought to be prepared to be an effective team player. Teamwork skills are important, and thus many companies, usually, consider the ability of its prospective employee to work effectively in a group. Advantageous and Drawbacks A team-oriented structure means organizations or companies rely on small teams to handle and manage a number of tasks. Workplace teams proffer certain benefits because it permits collaboration of a number of employees. As defined by Ahles & Bosworth (2004), a team consists of a small number of persons with matching skills. The persons hold themselves accountable for a common intention, approach, and a set of goals. Therefore according to the definition of Ahles & Bosworth (2004) and supported by Cornish (2008), workplace team leads to better solutions, better production, and creativity. The advantages of a team-based approach are due to the ability of the approach to place equal responsibilities on the members of the group. However, there are also some disadvantages or drawbacks that are associated with the workplace teams. These are inter-team conflict and the intra-team conflict. Cornish (2008) points out that the source of external and internal conflicts in a team-based management is due to differences in perceptions and solutions among the people involved. Two or more persons in a group can develop different solutions for challenges, which can lead to competition over the best solution. It is hard to decide on the excellent solution or to integrate different solutions because of the lack of a common source of authority. Coordination among unwilling team members is normally an uphill task since the teams rely on the goodwill of the members. Characteristics of an Effective and Efficient Workplace Team According to Landry & Project Management Institute (2012), a workplace team has various characteristics. Again, according to them, the definition of the workplace team points out key characteristics of an efficient and effective workplace team. According to the two, an efficient and effective team has well-defined responsibilities and roles; complementary skills; and mutual accountability. They also pointed that a team has a collaborative and a common work approach, a meaningful and a shared mission or purpose; explicit and measurable goals; and commitment and enthusiasm of the people involved. Furthermore, team members should have oneness, unity, trust, and mutual dependence. Ramaniah & Project Management Institute, (2013) added that people ought to have a shared task that requires a great degree of interdependency. Team members share a common focus in terms of where they want to see an organization achieve. Building and Effective Team As mentioned earlier, workplace teams are important features of an organization or a company. Teams help a company or an organization develop agility in a changing environment. Therefore, there is a great need for every company to develop effective and efficient teams in its system. Gamauf (2012) discusses a number of ways to develop an effective team. According to him, a company or an organization can have an efficient team if its management focuses on clear expectations, context, and commitment. The management has to communicate clearly its expectations to the team members. Every individual in the team must grasp the reason for the development of team. The executive ought to develop consistency of purpose. It should also clarify the context of tasks for teams. It should ensure that every member understands the reason he/she is in a group. Each should understand the importance of the team to the organization or a company. Again, he/she should understand the connection of the team to the organization or company’s vision, values, principles, purposes, and goals. Furthermore, the executive of an organization or a company should ensure that each team member is passionate about the team. Each member should understand that the team is important and should thus commit himself/herself to the accomplishment of the expected outcomes and mission. According to Gamauf (2012), committed team members are happy of their work and of the challenges that they pass through. Briefing on the milestone achieved in the team help foster a strong team and helps them share a common goal. Conclusion In conclusion, a workplace team is an important part of an organization or a company. It enables a company, or an organization adapts to the changing environment as it allows creativity and innovativeness. Nonetheless, it can lead to inter-team conflict or intra-team conflict. An executive can avoid these kinds of conflicts by ensuring that it develops efficient and effective teams. An executive needs to focus on clarity of its expectations on the team members and clarity of the context of the tasks. It should also ensure that every member of the team is committed and understands project milestones they are targeting. References Ahles, C. B., & Bosworth, C. C. (January 01, 2004). The Perception and Reality of Student and Workplace Teams. Journalism and Mass Communication Educator, 59, 42-59. Cornish, B. (January 01, 2008). Communication and the workplace team. Fire. Vol 100 (1300), 3-12. Gamauf, M. (January 01, 2012). Tech team building. Business and Commercial Aviation, 108, 6. Landry, M., & Project Management Institute. (January 01, 2012). The fine art of delegation. Pm Network, 26, 12. Ramaniah, D. G., & Project Management Institute. (January 01, 2013). Go team. Pm Network, 27, 2.   Read More