Team work

What Makes a Team Work

Executives, managers, and organization staff members universally explore ways to improve business results and profitability. Many view team-based, horizontal, organization structures as the best design for involving all employees in creating business success.

I hear, I forget. I see, I remember. I do, I understand. – Confucius

Effective teamwork is what makes organizations succeed. Whether it’s a band, a baseball team, or a Fortune 500 company, chemistry is at the heart of what makes teams great. Much of modern business thinking is centered on understanding the chemistry of what makes effective teamwork tick. And the best way to learn … is by doing, as Confucius says.

 “A team is a small number of people with complementary skills who are committed to a common purpose, performance goals, and approach for which they hold themselves mutually accountable.”

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More often than not, effective teamwork is built on the following ten characteristics:

Clear direction

Open and honest communication

Support risk taking and change

Defined roles

Mutually accountable

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Communicate freely

Common goals

Encourage differences in opinions

Collaboration

Team trust and commitment