Effective TeamsLearning Team C:

Issac Azevedo, Katherine Maloney and Niveditha TanguturuUniversity of Phoenix Online

COM/705: Communication StrategiesMarch 28, 2011

Instructor: Dr. Doris Sweeney, PhD

Introduction

Teams have been found to be the most effective way of dealing with the rapid pace of change that is so characteristic of the modern world.

(Drach-Zahavy & Somech, 2001, p. 111)

Optimum Team Size

Learning teams work best with four to five members.

(Magney, 1995, p. 568)

Heterogeneous Teams

The more diverse the team, the more likely that it will have the resources within it to find solutions to complex problems.

Heterogeneous teams are also more likely to be able to innovate, but members must pay close attention to the way in which they work together, since conflict is also more likely.

(Drach-Zahavy & Somech, 2001, p. 113)

Team Charter

Before they start working together, effective teams take the time to agree on norms and principles that will guide their work.

(D’Andrea-O’Brien & Buono, para. 10)

Inventory of KSAs

Effective teams have “a clear understanding of the strengths of their members, their knowledge, skills and abilities,” right from the outset.

(D’Andrea-B’Brien & Buono, 1996, p. 7)

Setting Goals and Objectives

Effective teams have a clear idea of what they want to achieve (D’Andrea-O’Brien & Buono, 1996, p. 6).

Planning Effective teams recognize that planning is

mandatory for success. They break down tasks into manageable chunks (D’Andrea-O’Brien & Buono, 1996, p. 5) and respect deadlines (Gevers, van Eerde & Rutte, 2008, p. 295).

Frequent and Efficient Team Meetings

Effective teams meet frequently.

(Drach-Zahavy & Somech, 2001, p.

113)

Meetings are carefully planned and structured. (Leigh, Aranda & Robbins, 2001, p. 93)

Learning

Effective teams regularly reflect on the team’s objectives, strategies and processes (Drach-Zahavy & Somech, 2001, p. 112), and undergo continual growth and development (D’Andrea-O’Brien & Buono, 1996, p. 5).

Exchanging Information

In effective teams, team members share knowledge and experience and learn from each other.

(Drach-Zahavy & Somech, 2001, p. 112)

Motivating

In effective teams, each team member is fully committed to the team’s goals.

(Drach-Zahavy & Somech, 2001, p. 112)

NegotiatingIn effective teams, team members show respect

for other team member’s views and ideas, even when these are extremely different from one’s own.

Team members in effective teams are open to each other’s ideas, and influence each other’s thinking and behavior.

(Drach-Zahavy & Somech, 2001, p. 113)

Communicate

Effective teams engage in genuine and on-going dialogue with one another.

(D’Andrea-O’Brien & Buono, 1996, p. 8)

Conclusion

Effective team work does not happen by accident.

Successful teams pay just as much attention to process as they do to product.

References Chen, A. N. K., Hwang, Y., Raghu, T. S. (2010). Knowledge Life Cycle,

Knowledge Inventory, and Knowledge Acquisition Strategies. Decision Sciences, 41 (1), 25. DOI: 10.1111/j.1540-5915.2009.00258.x

D'Andrea-O'Brien, C., & Buono, A. F. (1996). Building effective learning teams: Lessons from the field. SAM Advanced Management Journal (07497075), 61(3), 4. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

Drach-Zahavy, A., & Somech, A. (2001). Understanding team innovation: The role of team processes and structures. Group Dynamics: Theory, Research, and Practice, 5(2), 111-123. doi:10.1037/1089-2699.5.2.111

References, Con’td

Gevers, J. M. P., van Eerde, W, Rutte, C. G. (2009). Team self-regulation and meeting deadlines in project teams: Antecedents and effects of temporal consensus. European Journal of Work & Organizational Psychology, 18(3), 295. DOI: 10.1080/13594320701693217

Leigh, T., Aranda, E., & Robbins, S. (2001). Tools for teams: Building effective teams in the workplace. Pearson Custom Publishing, Boston, Ma.

Magney, J. (1996). Teamwork and the Need for Cooperative Learning. Labor Law Journal, 47(8), 564. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

Project Management Institute (2008). A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge. (PMBOK Guide). Upper Darby, PA. 1996. (Ed. Duncan et. Al.)