2. WHY HAVE TEAMS BECOME
SO POPULAR
Teams are..
Typically outperform individuals
Use employee talents better
More flexible
Responsive to changes in the environment
Facilitate employee involvement
An effective way to democratize and organization
Increase motivation
9–1
3. TEAM VERSUS GROUP:
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE
Work Group
A group that interacts primarily to share
information and to make decisions to help
each group member perform within his or
her area of responsibility. Groups are
simply the sum of individual efforts.
Work Team
A group whose individual efforts result in a
performance that is greater than the sum of
the individual inputs. Teams generate
positive synergy through coordinated efforts.
9–2
8. TYPES OF TEAMS
Problem-Solving Teams
Groups of 5 to 12 employees from the same
department who meet for a few hours each week to
discuss ways of improving quality, efficiency, and
the work environment.
Self-Managed Work Teams
Groups of 10 to 15 people who take on the
responsibilities of their former supervisors.
9–8
9. TYPES OF TEAMS (CONT’D)
Cross-Functional Teams
Employees from about the same hierarchical level, but from
different work areas, who come together to accomplish a
task.
•Task forces
•Committees
9–9
10. TYPES OF TEAMS (CONT’D)
Virtual Teams
Teams that use computer technology
to tie together physically dispersed
members in order to achieve a
common goal.
Team Characteristics
1. The absence of paraverbal and nonverbal cues
2. A limited social context
3. The ability to overcome time and space constraints
9–10
12. CREATING EFFECTIVE
TEAMS: DIVERSITY
Group Demography
The degree to which members of a group share a common
demographic attribute, such as age, sex, race, educational level,
or length of service in the organization, and the impact of this
attribute on turnover.
Cohorts
Individuals who, as part of a
group, hold a common
attribute.
9–12
17. BREAKOUT GROUP
EXERCISES
Can you give some examples about dysfunctional behaviors in
your work team?
Do you have a dream workplace? Such as Google’s, Apple’s? Can
you give some examples about advantages of your dream
workplace?
How many people work in your group? Do you have a leader in
your group? Do you think any kind of problem exist in your
group?
9–17
19. TURNING INDIVIDUALS
INTO TEAM PLAYERS
The Challenges
Overcoming individual resistance to team membership.
Countering the influence of individualistic cultures.
Introducing teams in an organization that has historically
valued individual achievement.
Shaping Team Players
Selecting employees who can fulfill their team roles.
Training employees to become team players.
Reworking the reward system to encourage cooperative efforts
while continuing to recognize individual contributions.
9–19
20. TEAMS AND QUALITY
MANAGEMENT
Team Effectiveness and Quality Management
Requires That Teams:
1. Are small enough to be efficient and effective.
2. Are properly trained in required skills.
3. Allocated enough time to work on problems.
4. Are given authority to resolve problems and take
corrective action.
5. Have a designated “champion” to call on when needed.
9–20
21. BEWARE: TEAMS AREN’T
ALWAYS THE ANSWER
Three tests to see if a team fits the situation:
Is the work complex and is there a need for different
perspectives?
Does the work create a common purpose or set of goals for the
group that is larger than the aggregate of the goals for
individuals?
Are members of the group involved in interdependent tasks?
9–21
22. 12 STEPS TO MORE
EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE
MEETINGS:1. Prepare a meeting agenda.
2. Distribute the agenda in advance.
3. Consult with participants before the meeting.
4. Get participants to go over the agenda.
5. Establish specific time parameters.
6. Maintain focused discussion.
7. Encourage and support participation of all members.
8. Maintain a balanced style.
9. Encourage the clash of ideas.
10. Discourage the clash of personalities.
11. Be an effective listener.
12. Bring proper closure.
9–22