12 Ways to Build an Effective Team

Twelve Ways to Build an Effective Team

Overview Twelve ways to build a team that works together productively and with synergy.

Teams that are cohesive, productive, and efficient -- and whose members enjoy doing their work and working together -- don’t happen by accident. Successful teams are cohesive because team members work cooperatively, sharing common goals as well as the resources to achieve them. They are productive, not because team members never disagree, but because they have worked out ways to resolve conflicts when they occur. They are efficient because tasks are assigned in a way that takes into account each member’s skills and interests, rather than letting the team be dominated by the most verbal, most aggressive, or most popular personalities. Managers play an essential role in developing and leading teams that work in these ways. Here are 12 ways to build an effective and cohesive team:

1. Clarify the common goals and purposes. Make the team’s purposes clear. Take the time to articulate the team’s performance goals and how the team contributes to the company’s success. Even a work group that has existed for some time may never have done this. In any case, the purposes and conditions change over time. If you are a new boss, you will be putting your own stamp on the group’s common goal. Clarify each person’s role in achieving the common purpose. Define each person’s job in terms of its contribution to the group’s and the company’s overall goals. This must be done in specific terms, not in vague generalities. For example, “We’re working under very tight timelines. Joe, you’ll be in charge of overall project coordination, so you will set the timetable for each project phase. Betty, can I ask you to take responsibility for writing the brochures and getting them printed? Maribeth and Scott, I’d like you to work together on the transportation requirements, OK? Let’s meet again tomorrow afternoon at 3:00 for an update and a progress check. Does that...