NEW Higher Administration Administration Services Outcome 1.2 Team Working What is a Team? No man is an island A team can be defined as a group who have been specifically formed for a particular purpose. They have: A shared purpose or goals A sense of belonging (having an identity) A dependence/reliance on each other Effective Teams Team Composition personality, interests, age and backgrounds Team Development once values are agreed the group pulls together Nature of the Task clarity, belief in task, resources allocated Team Maintenance/Environment includes virtual teams and team building opportunities Leadership having an effective leader Class Question Discuss some of the negative consequences of having too large a team and too small a team. Suggested Solution If a team working on a project is too large, there is a danger of a situation developing where sub- groups within the team start to form and break away and develop their own agenda. Also, less assertive members of the group may not be given the opportunity to speak up or participate in a larger team. If the team is too small to handle all of the specialist tasks required for a project, there is a danger of one person dominating the team or too few tasks or skills being shared among the group. Team Roles (Belbin) The Specialist rare knowledge and skills The Ideas Person creative, imaginative, solves problems The Motivator the drive and courage to overcome obstacles The Organiser clarifies goals and makes decisions, delegates well The Implementer turns ideas into actions The Checker monitors and evaluates The Finisher delivers on time The Go-Getter develops contacts and explores opportunities The Team Player listens to others and averts conflict Stages in Team Development Forming the team members are introduced Storming members compete for roles; disputes and power struggles Norming members start working together and conflicts are resolved Performing the team is settled and working together Internet Research Visitto find out some more about effective teams.www.belbin.com Team Conflict Conflicting goals two members of the team want to go in different directions Personal disputes there are always people who will not get on Lack of resources not being able to put all ideas into action (money/staff/equipment) Changing expectations moving deadlines or targets Loyalty issues affected by the relationships between members of the team Class Questions Often, groups will take more risks than individuals working alone. Discuss this statement. Two heads are better than one. Justify this statement. Possible Solutions Groups will often take more risks than individuals working alone and can share the responsibility for the consequences. Calculated risks can often pay off and give an organisation an advantage over competitors. On the other hand, individuals working on their own may be less inclined to take risks, as they will be fully responsible for their actions. Possible Solutions Bring people together, who have a variety of knowledge, skills and experience, will generate more ideas and solve more problems than using individuals separately. The pooling of ideas and skills benefits an organisation in terms of creativity. It is also of benefit to the individuals concerned with regard to their personal learning and development. In other words, Two heads are better than one. Class Questions Why will effective team work develop positive morale and motivation? Why will effective team work develop multi-skilling? Effective teams need less supervision. Discuss this statement. Possible Solutions Effective teamwork can bring advantages to individuals by greater a sense of involvement, development and achievement. This can lead to improved job satisfaction, higher morale and motivation. These together can benefit an organisation through improved efficiency and productivity. Possible Solutions Effective team work can be demonstrated clearly when, in the absence of one member of the team, others can cover their duties among them, thereby maintaining aims and targets. Possible Solutions Effective teams need less supervision because individual members share responsibilities for their activities. The team can be self-directing and self- monitoring, thereby reducing the number of layers of senior management. Benefits of Team Working Individual: Sense of belonging and value Share knowledge and skills (therefore promotion prospects) Increased motivation and morale More likely to take risks (as they are shared) Organisation: Multi-skilled and flexible workforce Employees take on more responsibilities (less supervision) Specialisation and division of labour into different project areas Risks undertaken successfully are of huge benefit Increased competitiveness Types of Team Leaders A Leadership Story: A group of workers and their leaders are set a task of clearing a road through a dense jungle on a remote island to get to the coast where an estuary provides a perfect site for a port. The leaders organise the labour into efficient units and monitor the distribution and use of capital assets progress is excellent. The leaders continue to monitor and evaluate progress making adjustments along the way to ensure the progress is maintained and efficiency increased wherever possible. Then, one day amidst all the hustle and bustle and activity, one person climbs up a nearby tree. The person surveys the scene from the top of the tree. A Leadership Story: And shouts down to the assembled group below Wrong Way (Story adapted from Stephen Covey (2004) The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People Simon & Schuster). Management is doing things right, leadership is doing the right things (Warren Bennis and Peter Drucker) Leadership A leader is someone who influences others towards the achievement of goals. A good leader will motivate people to willingly work towards their goals. Leadership A leader will: Set a clear vision or goals for the team Plan, organise and monitor progress Meet the needs of the team (information, communication etc) Meet the needs of individuals (support, training etc) Meet the needs of the task (resources, team skills etc) Liaise between the team, management and other work areas. Evaluate reflect to improve in the future Leadership A leader should be able to: Build trust and relationships within the team Be able to delegate effectively Keep conflict to a minimum Motivate and influence others towards achievement of goals Analyse problems and seek solutions; listen to others ideas Different Styles of Leadership Autocratic This type of leader takes decisions without consultation and has very little regard for the thoughts and opinions of other colleagues or the workforce; usually found in traditional organisations. Different Styles of Leadership Laissez-Faire This is the let it be leader who prefers the workforce to take their own decisions. This type of leadership can be useful in business where creative ideas are important but it relies heavily on good team work. Different Styles of Leadership Democratic This type of leader is much more likely to be consultative and to encourage participative decision making. John Adairs Theory of Leadership This model encourages a flexible approach to leadership, with the idea that there is no right style of leadership. The style that best fits the situation should be adopted at any one time. Task Needs: Objective Setting Planning Allocating Responsibilities Performance Standards Task Needs: Objective Setting Planning Allocating Responsibilities Performance Standards Group Needs: Team building Communication Motivation Discipline Group Needs: Team building Communication Motivation Discipline Individual Needs: Coaching Counselling Motivation Development Individual Needs: Coaching Counselling Motivation Development Internet Task There are many theories about good leadership. Use the internet to find out about McGregor and his X and Y Theories. Contrast these with Tannenbaum and Schmidt, Fiedler and Likert also had interesting ideas. Take some notes on what these theorists thoughts. What is charisma? Look this up. Write down the names of some leaders you think have charisma. Quick Quiz Questions 3 Extended Response Questions NEW Higher Administration Administration Services Outcome 1.2