We all know the importance of teamwork. As a funny proverb goes, a good team will take you to heaven while a bad team will lead you to hell. It might seem funny and over-exaggerated. However, there is no doubt that an effective team would really save you a lot of time and trouble. In order to build an effective and successful team, there are some essential characteristics of the team that you need to know.
Here are three characteristics of a successful team that I think are the most essential.
- Leadership
According to a poll conducted by Refresh Leadership in August 2015, the reason of why a team fails was asked. The top response was “poor leadership”. The result shows that great leadership is vital to a team, not only to set goals and stay on tasks, but also to resolving team conflict and encourage all team members. Furthermore, while the team has a formal leader, the position of the leader sometimes shifts from time to time depending on the tasks, the needs of the team, and the skills of the member. Therefore, with the appropriate example of the formal leader, it helps to establish a positive standard among the team members.
- A Clear Common Goals
Legendary football coach Bud Wilkinson said, “If a team is to reach its potential, each player must be willing to subordinate his personal goals to the good of the team.” Once the goal, task, or vision has been clear defined and agreed by all team members, it could lead all individuals in the team willing to participate and provide their own ideas. Without a clear goal and an agreement, it might lead to confusions and conflicts that could ultimately tear the team apart. Therefore, a clear common goal that every team member all agrees on is very important.
- Be Nice To Each Other
Disney Institute shared its secret of a successful team, which is something easier than what you will normally thought. It is “just be nice”. The relationship between team members plays a vital role in building a successful team. The theory is easy to understand. Having a great relationship between team members helps create an enjoyable working environment over time which can lead to an increase of the whole team’s productivity. Ultimately, it could even impact the overall success of an organization.
There are a lot more characteristics of a successful team and these are just some that I consider the most essential ones. You might want to think about, for you, what are the most valuable characteristics a team should have in order to be successful. Try apply those when you work in a team next time. You may experience the joy of being in an effective team!
Work Cited:
Institute, D. (2017, February 01). Disney InstituteVoice: What’s The Secret To Successful Teamwork? Just Be Nice. Retrieved February 05, 2017, from https://www.forbes.com/sites/disneyinstitute/2017/02/01/whats-the-secret-to-successful-teamwork-just-be-nice/#54b452dc5c5b
4 Essential Characteristics of a Successful Team. (n.d.). Retrieved February 05, 2017, from http://www.refreshleadership.com/index.php/2015/08/4-essential-characteristics-successful-team/
Langton, Organizational Behaviour, 4th edition, p.217