The Dream Team A team has several defining characteristics: – Small group of individuals. – Individuals provide different complimentary skills – Work actively together – Common Purpose – Collectively Accountable

Types of Teams There are three basic forms/functions of teams: – Teams that recommend things – Teams that run things – Team s that make things or do things

Recommend Things Characteristics for Teams that Recommend Things: – Specific Problems – Recommend specific solutions – Completion Date Generally, disband once problem/project has been resolved

Run Things Characteristics for Teams that Run Things: – Responsibility to lead others – Come in many different forms – Complex Problems/ Uncertain situations Creating Strategies Supporting Others Create Goals, Values, and Purpose

Make or Do Things Characteristics for teams that make or do things: – Perform ongoing tasks – Long Term Relationships – Strong Operating System – High demands

The Nature of Teamwork Teamwork- Members of a team actively working together in a way that utilizes all their respective skills, and helps them achieve a common goal. Individuals show commitement to the team through: – Believing in the TEAM – Coming to work motivated – Listening – Constructively Responding "One man can be a crucial ingredient on a team, but one man cannot make a team" - Kareem Abdul Jabbar

The Nature of Teamwork Successful teams possess a wide variety of skills: – Technical – Problem- Solving – Decision Making Teams instill a commitment to achieve performance standards by: – Setting specific goals – Creating Strong Values – Providing a sense of purpose

Diversity & Team Performance Benefits of Homogeneous Teams: – Quickly build relationships – Improved communication – Less conflict Negatives of Homogeneous Teams: – Limited ideas – Less creativity – Biased Ethnocentric

Diversity & Team Performance Benefits of Heterogeneous Teams: – More information – Unique Perspectives – Variety of skills and talents – Creativity Negatives of Heterogeneous Teams: – Slow startup – Relationship Building – Interpersonal conflicts