1-2 Effective Teams Notes and Tasks...
Transcript of 1-2 Effective Teams Notes and Tasks...
Golspie High School
Higher Administration & IT
Administrative Practices
Outcome 1: Provide an account of the factors contributing to the effectiveness of the
administrative function
1.2 Effective Teams
Pupil Notes & Tasks
Effective teams 1 Provide an account of the factors contributing to the effectiveness of the
administrative function by: 1.2 Describing the characteristics of effective teams
By the end of this unit you will know and understand: • features of effective teams • team formation • skills of team members — need for diversity • benefits of teams to individuals and the organisation
Team Working A team can be defined as a group who have been specially formed for a particular purpose – to achieve a particular aim. A team is characterised by 3 factors: • a shared purpose or goal • a sense of belonging to a team (having an identity) • a dependence/reliance on each other. Factors of an Effective Team? The following are the characteristics that make an effective team: Team Composition
Consideration should be placed on factors such as personality, interests, age and backgrounds when forming a team.
Team Development
A group of people who have worked together before will know each other and will develop more quickly.
Nature of the Task
Everyone in the team needs to believe in the task to be undertaken. The clearer the task and the more involved the members feel, the more effectively the team will work together.
Team Maintenance
It is important that the people who belong to a team identify themselves as part of the team and are given opportunities to develop as part of the team. Opportunities should be given both inside and outside the workplace for the team to take part in activities that allow their relationship as a team to develop. There should be regular
meetings held to discuss issues and sort out problems.
Leadership It is important that a team has an effective leader who can motivate the team towards their goal and minimise any conflict in the team.
Leadership One of the essential components of effective teams is appropriate leadership. A leader can be described as someone who influences others towards the achievement of goals. They must also minimise any conflict in the team and maintain good communication links with all members of the team to ensure information is passed efficiently. They should if possible use modern technology such as e-‐mail and the intranet to aid them. Instead of having to coerce followers to achieve a task, a good leader will motivate people to willingly work towards their goals. He or she will do this by such means as: • Setting a clear vision or goals for the team, as well as setting out clear guidelines and
procedures for the team to follow. • Meeting the needs of the team (information, communication, etc.) Each member of the
team should feel they have an opportunity to express their opinions/ideas. • Meeting the needs of the individuals within the team (support, training, etc.) Issues which
make team members unhappy should be discussed and possible solutions found. • Meeting the needs of the task in hand (resources, use of team skills, etc.) • Liaising between the team, management and other work areas.
Benefits of Good Leadership • All team members will feel more motivated and gain more job satisfaction
• Good relationship within the team making it more productive
• Good use of delegation making employees more motivated
• Improved communication leading to better decision making
• Keeping the team on track so that they meet their targets
• Everyone knows what the team has to do and also their individual roles
• Good leadership encourages team members to support each other
• Better career prospects because individual has developed due to good leadership
• Good leadership can lead to a successful organisation
The kind of leadership required by a team will depend on a number of factors – whether it is a new or established team, how effective the team is and how complex the task is, etc. A directing leader is more necessary in a less experienced, less effective team, however, more experienced or effective teams will often need a leader who is more a coordinator of activity and provider of resources as they will need less direction. The more effective a team is, the more the members will interact with one another and take on roles to support one another – there is less need for a leader to direct operations, but rather to pull things together and support the activity.
Team Formation/Roles According to Meredith Belbin, a leading management theorist, there are clear roles that team members will adopt. Meredith Belbin suggested that there are clear team roles and if these are identified when the team is formed, it will be more effective. Belbin’s Team Roles are as follows:
Usually people are clearly strong in one role or another; however, most people can take on other roles as well. What is important for effective teams is that there is a balance between ‘thinkers’ and ‘doers’.
Team Size Belbin also suggested that careful consideration should be given to the size of a team and that teams of around four to six people are the most effective. If a team is too large there is a danger of sub-‐groups developing and if a team is too small there is a danger of one person dominating the team.
Skills of Team Members Leadership skills A leader is someone who influences others towards the achievement
of goals. A good leader will be able to motivate the team by setting a clear vision and communicating information to team members. A good leader will provide support to all members of the team and be able to minimise conflict.
Listening skills Team members should be able to listen to each other’s ideas and points of view.
Communication skills Team members should be able to put their thoughts into words for everyone to understand. Team members should be able to communicate both verbally and in writing.
(Also see notes on Skills required for Effective Time and Task Management)
Benefits of Teams to Individuals Increased morale and motivation
Individuals working in a team will have a greater sense of involvement and this can improve job satisfaction.
Shared knowledge and skills
Teams can greatly benefit from sharing ideas and knowledge with one another, which can help develop an individual’s role within the organisation.
Risk-‐taking Individuals working in teams have the ability to share the risk, which encourages them to try out new ideas that they might not have tried as an individual.
Sense of being valued and belonging
Individuals working in a team may have an increased feeling of belonging and team identity.
Costs of Teams to Individuals There are also some possible costs (disadvantages) to the individual: o If they are not comfortable within the team, individuals could suffer from stress o Conflict can result from personality clashes within the team o Strong personalities in the team may not allow other individuals, who may be
quieter, to flourish o The individual may be so focused on working for the overall good of the team that
they put their own ideas on the back burner. This lack of innovative thinking may keep the team from moving forward
Benefits of Teams to the Organisation Multi-‐skilling Teams allow the workforce to be more flexible and to adapt to needs as
required, for example of a member of staff is absent, then other members of the team can cover their duties between them.
Responsibility Effective teams need less supervision as they are more likely to take on more responsibility. This could result in layers of management being reduced, which would reduce costs for an organisation.
Higher productivity Because of the increased morale and motivation of employees, the organisation could benefit from increased productivity and lower staff turnover.
Risk-‐taking Teams are more likely to take risks and this can give an organisation a competitive edge.
Suggested activities 1. In groups of four to six, discuss the Belbin team roles and decide which group member
would fall into each role and explain why. 2. Carry out internet research on the website www.mindtools.com and access the Toolkit
areas for team management and leadership skills. Take notes on your research. 3. On the website www.mindtools.com there is a range of video links which can be accessed
in the resources section. Please note that these are used through YouTube so some centres may not have access to them.
4. In the group established in the first activity try some of the team-‐building exercises from
the website www.businessballs.com. Questions 1. Discuss the advantages to the individual and the organisation of working as part of a team. 2. Describe the benefits of good leadership within a team. 3. Discuss the features of an effective team. 4. Describe ways in which a team can be affected by poor leadership. 5. Describe the Belbin team roles.
1 Explain the advantages to the individual and the organisation of working as part
of a team.
8 marks
2 Describe the benefits of good leadership within a team.
4 marks
3 Describe the features of an effective team.
6 marks
4 Describe ways in which a team can be affected by poor leadership.
6 marks
5 Describe the Belbin team roles.
9 marks
6 “Successful teams need effective leaders”. Outline 4 qualities of an effective leader.
4 marks
7 Explain why some teams are more effective than others.
8 marks
8 Describe the advantages and disadvantages to an individual of working as part of a team.
8 marks
9 Describe why a team may be ineffective.
8 marks
10 Outline 4 skills you would expect to see in an effective team leader.
4 marks
11 Describe the benefits of an effective team.
6 marks
AS O1/ New
Outcome 1.2 PA
PER/
SECT
ION/ Q
Describing the characteristics of effective teams
Marks
1 2014 1/Q1
Outline 4 skills you would expect to see in an effective team leader. 4
2 2014 1/Q3
Discuss the benefits of an effective team. 6
6 2010 2/Q1c
Outline 4 benefits of good leadership. 4
9 2008 1/Q3
Describe 3 ways in which a team may be affected by poor leadership. 6
SOLUTIONS 1 Explain the advantages to the individual and the
organisation of working as part of a team.
8 marks 2007 Section 2 Question 2 (b) (Command word changed from discuss to explain) Notes Page 19
Individual Increased/improved motivation/moral … Feeling of involvement … Better promotion prospects … Individual can develop greater skills … Good support for one another … Organisation Better decision making … Increased productivity … More ideas generated … Improved communication … Multi-‐skilled workforce … When working as a team people are more willing to take risks which can be beneficial to the organisation.
2 Describe the benefits of good leadership within a team.
4 marks 2010 Section 2 Question 1 (c) Notes Page 17
• All team members will feel more motivated and gain more job satisfaction • Good relationship within the team making it more productive • Good use of delegation making employees more motivated • Improved communication leading to better decision making • Keeping the team on track so that they meet their targets • Everyone knows what the team has to do and also their individual roles • Good leadership encourages team members to support each other • Better career prospects because individual has developed due to good leadership • Good leadership can lead to a successful organisation
3 Describe the features of an effective team.
6 marks 2010 Section 2
Question 4 (d) (Command word changed from discuss to describe) Notes Page 16
• It is important all members have a clear idea of what they are there to achieve – they
will have clear goals
• Believe in shared goals – therefore will have a common direction • Team members support one another when working on projects together – leads to
better decision making/more risks taken • Shared knowledge … means there is better coverage of any absences • It is important to have people who have different skills and personalities – leads to
better productivity • Strong/Open communication between team members -‐ team members should be
encouraged to express their opinions -‐suggesting ideas and being prepared to compromise
• Team should have a good leader with effective leadership skills helping and supporting others with their tasks
• The longer the team is together the more effective it is likely to be – a team will work as a cohesive group, pulling together -‐ targets being met – more deadlines are met
• An effective team is normally small – Belbin states 4-‐6 people Notes Accept Belbin’s team roles but max of one description (2 marks)
4 Describe ways in which a team can be affected by poor leadership.
6 marks 2008 Section 1 Question 2 Notes Page 17
• The team will be unclear on what they have to do and as a result resources may be wasted and the job may not be done properly.
• Conflict will exist between team members and the job may not get done properly. • The group is unlikely to be motivated and they will take longer than anticipated to
meet their targets. • Morale will be poor and there is likely to be a high staff turnover. • Individuals working separately are less effective than a team therefore output will
be less. • A team with poor leadership will not be properly monitored and therefore likely to
do the minimum required/just sufficient to get the job done. • They are unlikely to be able to work under pressure and team members will suffer
from stress or sustain a standard of work for any length of time.
5 Describe the Belbin team roles.
9 marks Notes Page 18
The Ideas Person This is someone who is creative, imaginative and has the ability to solve problems. The Motivator This is someone who can get things moving and drive the team forward. The Organiser This is someone who can plan and co-‐ordinate activities, and pulls things together. The Implementer This is someone who can get tasks started and turn ideas into actions. The Checker This is someone who can monitor and ensure that tasks have been carried out correctly.
The Finisher This is someone who ensures that tasks are completed on time. The Go-‐getter This is someone who develops contacts and can seek out resources. The Team Player This is someone who thinks about the people in the group and listens to others to minimise conflict. The Specialist This is someone who can provide vital knowledge and skills.
6 “Successful teams need effective leaders”. Outline 4 qualities of an effective leader.
4 marks 2007 Section 2 Question 2 (a) Notes Pages 17 & 18
• Good communication skills − could be written or verbal. • Able to build trust and relationships within the team. • Able to listen to ideas so that all the team are included. • Able to influence others towards the achievement of goals. • Able to think clearly … • Analyse problems … • Know how to delegate … • Able to motivate … • Able to deploy team skills effectively … • Able to ensure conflict is kept to a minimum …
7 Explain why some teams are more effective than
others. 8 marks 2011 Section 2
Question 5 (c) (Command word changed from discuss to explain) Notes Pages 16-‐18
• Team composition relating to right balance of people (roles) • The nature of the task: how challenging the task is, how structured it is and whether
the team members believe in the task • Presence of a good leader – helps to promote a positive atmosphere – provide good
co-‐ordination – manage conflict • Availability of good training to support the team • Team members support one another when working on projects together – leads to
better decision making/more risks taken
• It is important all members have a clear idea of what they are there to achieve – they
will have clear goals • Believe in shared goals – therefore will have a common direction • Shared knowledge … means there is better coverage for any absences • It is important to have people who have different skills and personalities – leads to
better productivity • Strong/Open communication between team members -‐ team members should be
encouraged to express their opinions -‐ suggesting ideas and being prepared to compromise
• The longer the team is together the more effective it is likely to be – a team will work as a cohesive group, pulling together -‐ targets being met – more deadlines are met
• An effective team is normally small – Belbin states 4-‐6 people
8 Describe the advantages and disadvantages to an
individual of working as part of a team. 8 marks 2012 Section 2
Question 5 (c) (Command word changed from discuss to describe) Notes Page 19
Advantages • More likely to take risks, as these are shared • Increased motivation and morale • Being able to share knowledge and increase skills by learning from others • There is a sense of being valued and belonging • Greater job satisfaction • Individual team members will benefit in terms of support they receive from other
team members • Team members could have a greater chance of promotion as a result of gaining a
greater range of skills from working within a team Disadvantages
• If they are not comfortable within the team, individuals could suffer from stress • Conflict can result from personality clashes within the team • Strong personalities may not allow other individuals to flourish
9 Describe reasons why a team may be ineffective. 8 marks 2013 Section 2 Question 3 (c) (Command word changed from discuss to describe) Notes Pages 16-‐18
Team composition Factors such as personality, interests, age and backgrounds may not have been considered Team members may be too similar
It is important to have people who have different skills and personalities The longer the team is together the more effective it is likely to be. Size of team Leadership Poor leadership will lead to demotivation – and lack of direction Nature of task Team members may not have a clear idea of what they are there to achieve – they will not have clear goals Team maintenance May be lack of opportunities for the team to come together informally. Need to be given time to allow relationships to develop through teambuilding events, social gatherings etc
10 Outline 4 skills you would expect to see in an effective team leader.
4 marks 2014 Section 1 Question 1
• Having the necessary technical expertise and knowledge required for the job • Able to build trust and relationships within the team • Able to listen to ideas so that all the team are included • Able to influence others towards the achievement of goals • Able to motivate all members of the team to achieve targets • Able to think clearly … • Good communication skills … • Analyse problems … • Know how to delegate … • Able to deploy team skills effectively … • Able to ensure conflict is kept to a minimum … • Asking for help when you require it – rather than putting the task off because it is
too difficult or you are not sure where to start • Using planning aids – to help prioritise work • Being organised to look ahead and plan but also to monitor progress and
achievement. • Control and monitoring of others involved in the task (supervision). • Sticking to Priorities List – this will help ensure that urgent and must be done
tasks are completed • Assertiveness – being able to say no to tasks that would be outwith a person’s
capability or time scale. • Resource Management – ensuring that appropriate staff and equipment are
utilised effectively eg buying software to perform a task rather than manual completion.
• Evaluation – ability to reflect on task with a view to improve and minimise problems
Notes
Must be more detail than simply identifying the skill The skill should be placed in a context Watch that it is not the same answer with just the skill changed
11 Describe the benefits of an effective team. 6 marks 2014 Section 1 Question 3 (Command word changed from discuss to describe)
Individual • Increased/improved motivation … • Feeling of involvement … • Better career prospects because individual has developed due to good
leadership • Individual can develop greater skills … • Good support for one another …
Organisation
• Believe in shared goals – therefore will have a common direction • Everyone knows what the team has to do and also their individual roles • Team members support one another when working on projects together – leads
to better decision making/more risks taken • It is important to have people who have different skills and personalities – leads
to better productivity • The longer the team is together the more effective it is likely to be – a team will
work as a cohesive group, pulling together • The strengths and weaknesses of individuals are balanced within the team • Shared knowledge/skills means that absences can be covered • More ideas generated … • Improved communication … • Multi-‐skilled workforce … • Can work on own – less need for monitoring
Notes There is no need to answer specifically on individual or organisation. Max one for team leader if different points made Team leader can be awarded 2 if the second statement is an extension of the first
AS O1/ New
Outcome 1.2 PA
PER/
SECT
ION/ Q
Describing the characteristics of effective teams
Marks
1 2014 1/Q1
Outline 4 skills you would expect to see in an effective team leader. 4
More than naming, but not a detailed description. Candidates will not be expected to develop their answers. Having the necessary technical expertise and knowledge required for the job Able to build trust and relationships within the team Able to listen to ideas so that all the team are included Able to influence others towards the achievement of goals Able to motivate all members of the team to achieve targets Able to think clearly … Good communication skills … Analyse problems … Know how to delegate … Able to deploy team skills effectively … Able to ensure conflict is kept to a minimum … Asking for help when you require it – rather than putting the task off because it is too difficult or you are not sure where to start Using planning aids – to help prioritise work Being organised to look ahead and plan but also to monitor progress and achievement. Control and monitoring of others involved in the task (supervision). Sticking to Priorities List – this will help ensure that urgent and must be done tasks are completed Assertiveness – being able to say no to tasks that would be outwith a person’s capability or time scale. Resource Management – ensuring that appropriate staff and equipment are utilised effectively eg buying software to perform a task rather than manual completion. Evaluation – ability to reflect on task with a view to improve and minimise problems Notes Must be more detail than simply identifying the skill The skill should be placed in a context Watch that it is not the same answer with just the skill changed
2014 1/Q3
Discuss the benefits of an effective team. 6
If no attempt at discussion then only 50% of the marks available. If no discussion, please mark “No D”.
AS O1/ New
Outcome 1.2 PA
PER/
SECT
ION/ Q
Describing the characteristics of effective teams
Marks
Individual Increased/improved motivation … Feeling of involvement … Better career prospects because individual has developed due to good leadership Individual can develop greater skills … Good support for one another … Organisation Believe in shared goals – therefore will have a common direction Everyone knows what the team has to do and also their individual roles Team members support one another when working on projects together – leads to better decision making/more risks taken It is important to have people who have different skills and personalities – leads to better productivity The longer the team is together the more effective it is likely to be – a team will work as a cohesive group, pulling together The strengths and weaknesses of individuals are balanced within the team Shared knowledge/skills means that absences can be covered More ideas generated … Improved communication … Multi-‐skilled workforce … Can work on own – less need for monitoring Notes There is no need to answer specifically on individual or organisation. Max one for team leader if different points made Team leader can be awarded 2 if the second statement is an extension of the first
6 2010 2/Q1c
Outline 4 benefits of good leadership. 4
More than naming, but not a detailed description. Candidate will not be expected to develop their answers ·∙ All team members will feel more motivated and gain more job satisfaction ·∙ Good relationship within the team making it more productive ·∙ Good use of delegation making employees more motivated ·∙ Improved communication leading to better decision making ·∙ Keeping the team on track so that they meet their targets ·∙ Everyone knows what the team has to do and also their individual roles ·∙ Good leadership encourages team members to support each other ·∙ Better career prospects because individual has developed due to good leadership ·∙ Good leadership can lead to a successful organisation
9 2008 1/Q2
Describe 3 ways in which a team may be affected by poor leadership. 6
Award one mark for outline plus one for additional comment, illustration or example. The team will be unclear on what they have to do and as a result resources
AS O1/ New
Outcome 1.2 PA
PER/
SECT
ION/ Q
Describing the characteristics of effective teams
Marks
may be wasted and the job may not be done properly. Conflict will exist between team members and the job may not get done properly. The group is unlikely to be motivated and they will take longer than anticipated to meet their targets. Morale will be poor and there is likely to be a high staff turnover. Individuals working separately are less effective than a team therefore output will be less. A team with poor leadership will not be properly monitored and therefore likely to do the minimum required/just sufficient to get the job done. They are unlikely to be able to work under pressure and team members will suffer from stress or sustain a standard of work for any length of time. Notes: Development points must be different for each way described to gain each second mark. Accept similar points to question 1