“Team” can be variously defined. Among them, the definition as “a group of people organized to work together,”[1] strikes me as the subject of discussion -- how difficult it can be to get that team organised in a way to achieve a pre-determined outcome. More accurately, this definition might apply: “A team is a small group of people with complementary skills committed to a common purpose and set of specific performance goals.”[2] Team can be viewed both simplistically and complexly, but realistically elegant simplicity must be the overall result if we’re to flesh out anything new here.
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I want to say one thing on this subject. The maturity of a team seems to me to be the function of, or the difference between, the actual requirements of the work in achieving the overall objective compared to how much “stroking” of egos or inefficiency of team maintenance is required at group and/or individual levels. I suggest the narrower the gap the better and more mature is the team. In other words, a perfectly mature team could be goal focused, achieve the objective with the minimum of fuss, and simultaneously self-manage the ‘team’ dynamic i.e. keep everyone happy.
I want to say one thing on this subject. The maturity of a team seems to me to be the function of, or the difference between, the actual requirements of the work in achieving the overall objective compared to how much “stroking” of egos or inefficiency of team maintenance is required at group and/or individual levels. I suggest the narrower the gap the better and more mature is the team. In other words, a perfectly mature team could be goal focused, achieve the objective with the minimum of fuss, and simultaneously self-manage the ‘team’ dynamic i.e. keep everyone happy.
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Of course, the perfectly mature team by definition is a high performance unit and is rare. They exist in organisations where there are high performance standards and “when management makes clear performance demands.” They synergise with the existing hierarchal structure and “across structural boundaries.” They “integrate performance and learning,” making a learning culture an absolute necessity. The most startling finding is the fact that business cannot any longer afford not to operate without mature teams. Business for some time now has demanded teamwork, and individual action has not cut the mustard for many years.[3]
Of course, the perfectly mature team by definition is a high performance unit and is rare. They exist in organisations where there are high performance standards and “when management makes clear performance demands.” They synergise with the existing hierarchal structure and “across structural boundaries.” They “integrate performance and learning,” making a learning culture an absolute necessity. The most startling finding is the fact that business cannot any longer afford not to operate without mature teams. Business for some time now has demanded teamwork, and individual action has not cut the mustard for many years.[3]
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I wish to keep this very simple. True teamwork cannot hope to emerge without all its members having faith and maturity at the individual level. Each member must be committed to overall objectives; no weak links. Each member must be prepared to do their work, and beyond, seeing every moment as an opportunity to both meet and exceed demands. Finally, once people have actually worked in a mature team, they will invariably want more of it. They catch the bug regarding the miracles of teamwork; the sensation of achieving collective success, the altruism, and the relationship dynamics that come with it.
I wish to keep this very simple. True teamwork cannot hope to emerge without all its members having faith and maturity at the individual level. Each member must be committed to overall objectives; no weak links. Each member must be prepared to do their work, and beyond, seeing every moment as an opportunity to both meet and exceed demands. Finally, once people have actually worked in a mature team, they will invariably want more of it. They catch the bug regarding the miracles of teamwork; the sensation of achieving collective success, the altruism, and the relationship dynamics that come with it.
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Copyright © 2008, S. J. Wickham. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.
Copyright © 2008, S. J. Wickham. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.
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[1] Source online: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/team
[2] Jon R. Katzenbach & Douglas K. Smith, The Wisdom Of Teams, (Harvard Business School Press, 1993), p. 21. Source online: http://www.library.arizona.edu/conferences/ltf/1998/papers/olshen/tsld005.htm
[3] Katzenback & Smith, Ibid, p. 4-5. This overview of the “Uncommonsense Findings” makes for an ideal introduction to the subject.
[1] Source online: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/team
[2] Jon R. Katzenbach & Douglas K. Smith, The Wisdom Of Teams, (Harvard Business School Press, 1993), p. 21. Source online: http://www.library.arizona.edu/conferences/ltf/1998/papers/olshen/tsld005.htm
[3] Katzenback & Smith, Ibid, p. 4-5. This overview of the “Uncommonsense Findings” makes for an ideal introduction to the subject.
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