Leadership and trust facilitating cross-functional team success by Sheila Simsarian Webber The Journal of Management Development; 2002; 21, 3/4; ABI/INFORM Comp - Article Example

Summary of the article This article is about the role of trust in the working of cross functional teams and leadership issues involved in the process. With the emergence of matrix organizational system, the need for the cross functional teams was greatly felt. Due to diverse backgrounds of the members of these cross-functional teams, it is expected that the performance will greatly improve in team based environment. However, empirical studies suggested otherwise as declared in the article. The main reason for the lack of this achievement in performance is the lack of trust. . The theory of interdependence between the team members demand trust and once team members start to see themselves as the interdependent entities, the trust develops which ultimately lead to the high performance.

The development of trust within team environments is described as the critical success factor along with the adequate leadership involved in the whole process. Purpose of the Article The major purpose of this article, as for as I can understand and perceive it, is to explore the team dynamics with reference to the cross functional teams and their inability to produce the desired results. Within this perspective, the role of team and project leaders are discussed in developing the level of trust in the formation of the teams and how it can be developed to form coherent teams giving desired results.

Strength of the Article This article has shown strengths of the writer in many areas. I believe that the greatest strength of this article is its ability to put forward a very concrete argument in favor of developing trust within the teams to make them successful. On the second count, I believe this article has been able to form a cross referencing of the various organizational areas in order to show their interdependence to get the desired results out of the teams. Within this perspective, writer has been able to clearly define the lines between the myths and the realities associated with the formation of the teams, their working and the expectations from them.

Writer has been able to justify her effort by making this article a very elegant combination of practicality with theory. Weaknesses of the article I believe the greatest weakness of this article is its inability to view the teams within the larger perspective or rather from organizational point of view. The article has rather focused more on the internal dynamics of the teams rather than presenting a balanced view of the teams and their overall contribution to the organizational goals and objectives.

On individual levels, members of the team may not have been on the same level of frequency with each other however within their own similar individual capacities, team members can contribute significantly to the performance of the teams based solely on their individual sense of responsibility and sense of achievement. Though this article did discussed about the members whose team performance may be the need of the time to give their careers a new move therefore considering the fact that team members are always due to their technical skills and energy therefore at the younger age, the individual sense of achievement and can do approach of the team members may intrinsically motivate them to perform and jell together without necessarily forming the degree of trust as discussed in the article.

Ties to the course concepts By reading this article, I have bee able to practically learn the relationship between theory and what actually happens in practice. This article has been able to reconcile our course contents on the teams, their formation, organizational structures and leadership within the organization. I believe that this article has provided me an enough opportunity to hone my understanding on the above mentioned topics of our course. Lessons Learned and applications for future and current leaders The teams are essential for the formation of coherent groups who can deliver.

The most important lesson which I have learned is the fact effective and efficient leadership can potentially change or maneuver any unwanted organizational dynamics, in this case team dynamics, into their favor provide they have the necessary will and ability to do so. Probably the most important lesson our current and future leaders should learn from this article is the fact that leadership can change the unwanted circumstances into favorable ones provided the leadership is effective and potent source of change.

Recommendations Yes I would recommend this article to my peers because it provides a very comprehensive view of the many critical concepts of management and can really help to better their understanding on the various sub topics. Conclusion Getting best out of the teams require you to be a good team leader or project leader with the prime responsibility of building the trust between the members of the cross functional teams.