Getting Work Done in Teams

Abstract

This chapter discusses five key elements of forming and building a team. Creating a (1) productive communication climate within a team that can be fostered through four types of communication responses which we describe, each that create a supportive climate for communicating contrasted with its opposite that often results in creating a destructive climate.

As with many concepts we share in this book, there is not one universally best process for how to (2) structure decision-making processes within a team. We share considerations for three different approaches, weighing the strengths and weaknesses of each.

When working in productive teams, conflict is inevitable. We describe it not as a signal of a problematic team, but instead as a tool to leverage for innovation and creative thinking within effective teams. The five (3) common approaches to conflict that includes avoidance, accommodation, compromise, competing, and collaboration.

Furthermore, (4) healthy inter-member competition balanced with team member cooperation can energize the team, encourage innovation, and prevent excessive cohesion. To manage the “baked in” competitions that may naturally arise, leaders should maintain a clear vision of the larger goals to ensure that members remain aligned with the team’s success.

All of these elements contribute to (5) building team synergy where the collective work of the team is greater than the compilation of individual members’ work.