discussion and responses Team Management

The teams are formed to achieve a common goal and each task is developed based on the goals and objectives. In order to form a project team to complete a certain task, we should design the task analyzing the skills and resources required to complete the task. We need to identify the number of people and the specific skills required for completing the job and decide the resources accordingly. The team members are selected based on the skills and the members may be from different cultures with different values and principles and add diversity to the team.

Once the team members are selected the next responsibility involves managing the team members effectively. The team goal should be clear to all the team members so that they can work towards achieving the same. Each and every team member should be aware of their role and responsibilities and there should be effective communication between the team members to ensure team work. A good team leader can ensure collaboration and coordination between the team members irrespective of the diversity among the members.

There are chances of conflicts among the team members and the manager should be able to address the conflicts understanding the cultural values of each members. We should develop and promote a friendly atmosphere in the workplace and consider every employee equally. Equality in treatment is very essential to develop team cohesiveness among diverse workforce and success of the team. We should show equality in all our actions from hiring to performance evaluation and select the team members without discriminating the employees in terms of gender, race or any other factors of discrimination to incorporate diversity while designing a team. A diverse workforce can help the team by providing diverse skills, opinions and knowledge.

Part 2:

Team identity includes the factors that bind the team members together in a team and help them to work towards a common goal. It is very critical to develop the sense of being together for achieving success and team identity encourages the team members to make maximum contribution towards achieving the team goal. When there is mutual accountability for the team members, each team member understands the importance of cooperation and help each other in case of difficulties. The chances are also less when there is team identity. When we work together as a team understanding each other’s capabilities certain chemistry develops between the team members. We will enjoy working in such teams and always feel attached to them. Other teams which are not able to develop such relationships and team identity cannot create such attachment between team members.

Reference:

Barkley, E.F., Cross, K.P., and Major, C.H. (2005). Collaborative learning techniques: A handbook for college faculty. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Johnson, D.W., Johnson, R., & Smith, K. (1998). Active learning: Cooperation in the college classroom. Edina, MN: Interaction Book Company.

Thompson, L.L. (2004). Making the team: A guide for managers. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education Inc.