DESCRIBE TEAM ROLE AND SCOPE
1. TEAM, OBJECTIVES, PARAMETERS AND ROLE
Team members need to learn how to help one another, help other team members realize
their true potential, and create an environment that allows everyone to go beyond their
limitations. A team becomes more than just a collection of people when a strong sense of
mutual commitment creates synergy, thus generating performance greater than the sum of
the performance of its individual members.
Team
People working together towards a common goal who coordinate their work
amongst themselves. Teams normally have members with complementary skills and
generate synergy through a coordinated effort which allows each member to
maximize his/her strengths and minimize his/her weaknesses.
Group
People working towards the goal whose work is coordinated by someone else (e.g.
manager) for them. A group in itself does not necessarily constitute a team.
Unique Characteristics of a Team:
Must have an agreement or a reason for working together.
Members must be interdependent, each needing one another’s experience, abilities
and commitment in order to reach the common goal.
Must be committed to the idea that working together produces more effective
decisions.
Must operate as a functioning unit within the larger organizational context.
TEAM PARAMETERS
Eight (8) dimensions
The model is based on the realization that people who work together need to cooperate with
one another in order to be most effective and productive.
1. Participation
· members need to be present at team meetings
· “present” in this context refers both to being physically present and being
psychologically present by being attentive and involved
2. Collaboration
teamwork requires cooperation
members need to operate as “team players” working toward solutions that benefit
the team as a unit.
3. Flexibility
team members should be open minded about others points of view and should be
willing to be influenced by what they hear
they need to let go of personal opinions in the interest of the team and to assume a
variety of responsibilities within the work-group situation.
4. Sensitivity
team members must be aware of other’s feelings
they should not consciously hurt the feeling of fellow team members.
5. Risk-Taking
one of the oldest maxims of our culture is “Nothing ventured, nothing gained.”
most relevant risks the team members can take are confronting negative situations
within the team, adhering to a point of view even if it alienates other team members
and reaching out to other team members to offer emotional support
to take risks is itself risky, but the team suffers when too many members “play it
safe”.
6. Commitment
implies that members’ goals are consonant with the group’s objectives, that
members exhibit a strong “we” attitude.
members are willing to do their fair share of the team’s work, and that they support
the team within the organization
if a person never volunteers for tasks, is “me” oriented, or speaks disparagingly to
others about the team, he or she probably is not committed.
7. Facilitation
each member of a team is responsible for helping the team to operate
a group that does not critically examine its own functioning (process) is not likely to
be maximally effective.
8. Openness
team members should not withhold significant information from one another
should not be deceptive in their participation; should make their data available for
team problem solving and planning
should openly express their feelings, attitudes, values and beliefs relative to the tasks
and functioning of the group.
Each of the eight dimensions in the model form a pair; each pair should be kept in balance
both within the behavior of individuals and within that of the team.
1. Participation/Risk Taking.
2. Collaboration/Commitment
3. Facilitation/Flexibility
4. Openness/Sensitivity
TEAM OBJECTIVES
Objectives are the specific goals that the team will accomplish in a fixed amount of
time. These objectives flow from the team's purpose. Each one moves you towards your
vision.
· Team objectives support the team’s vision and purpose and the Company and/or
Department objectives.
Why are team objectives important?
· Team objectives are the basis of the team’s planned work.
· Team objectives should be the starting point for the employee objectives set as part
of the performance management process.
· Team objectives provide the basis for talent and resource planning. They dictate the
resources needed.
TEAM ROLE
Meredith Belbin (1993) based on his research proposed roles for successful
teams. The nine (9) Belbin Team Roles represent team members’ preferred ways to interact
and behave in a group.
Some people are more comfortable working behind the scenes. Others like to interact and
engage with clients and customers. Some like ideas. Others prefer decisions.
Top-performing teams are built on a balance of nine basic roles—with each team member
performing a role (or roles) that reflect their unique, inherent strengths.
People
1. Resource Investigator: Extroverted, enthusiastic, and communicative. Explores
opportunities and develops contacts that can help the project.
2. Team Worker: Cooperative, mild, perceptive and diplomatic. Listens, builds, averts
friction and calms the waters.
3. Coordinator: Mature, confident and a good team leader. Clarifies goals, promotes
decision-making and delegates well.
Action/Task
4. Shaper: Challenging, dynamic, thrives on pressure. Drive and courage to overcome
obstacles.
5. Implementer: Disciplined, reliable, conservative and efficient. Turns ideas into
practical actions.
6. Completer-Finisher: Painstaking, conscientious. Seeks errors and omissions. Delivers
on time.
Thinking
7. Plant: Creative, imaginative, unorthodox. Able to solve difficult
problems.
8. Specialist: Single-minded, self-starting, dedicated. Provides
knowledge and skills in rare supply.
9. Monitor-Evaluator: Sober, strategic, discerning. Sees and evaluates
options. Judges accurately.
Team Sources of Information
· Standard operating and/or other workplace procedures
· Job procedures
· Machine/equipment manufacturer’s specifications and instructions
· Organizational or external personnel
· Client/supplier instructions
· Quality standards
· OHS and environmental standards
