“Understanding Teams and Teamwork” is an article that discusses the unique dynamics of developing effective teams from a diverse group of people that can enhance organizational performance. The world of work is changing. Technology, e-commerce, expanding markets and growing consumer demands for quality and service are challenging organizations. To stay competitive, organizations are exploring ways to improve what they do and how they do it. Managers are shifting their focus from directing how work gets done to involving more people in decisions and problem solving. Along with structure, a team that implements three mechanisms of teamwork will be effective and produce optimal results. These mechanisms are: reference and consultation, coordination, and collaboration.
To flourish, organizations and the people in them must explore broader skills and wider perspectives. Knowing how to collaborate and develop effective partnerships is one of those skills. By implementing the three mechanisms, a team shares the responsibility and benefits from the knowledge, creativity, and experiences of its diverse members. Establishing collaborative relationships is not always easy, particularly when people have different backgrounds and viewpoints. However, when you and those you work with are able to share a basic set of practices or standards, collaboration becomes easier. Everyone begins with a common understanding. Everyone holds the same expectations for how they will be treated and how they will treat others. Thus, meaningful discussions can begin from a shared understanding of how to reach a common goal.
The three mechanisms of teamwork can help develop a strong network of collaborative relationships at every level of an organizati ...