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Team Performance Module navigation.
Module Introduction
Lesson Goals
Team Use
Why
When
Decision Making
Team Types
Development
Goals
Motivation
Performance
CRM
Human Error
Error Management
CRM Effectiveness
Module Summary
Course Conclusion
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What is a Team?

A team has been defined as "a small number of people with complementary skills who are equally committed to a common purpose, goal, and working approach for which they hold themselves mutually accountable." *

Gathering a group of people together does not make a “team.” As opposed to a group, a team has clearly defined goals and performance objectives for which members are individually and collectively accountable. A team:

  • Is trained and mentored in group dynamics and communication.
  • Is strongly interdependent not only for expertise and information, but also for mutual support and assistance.
  • Develops individual and group behavior norms and enforces them.
  • Has strong commitment both to team and individual member success.

This does not mean that "groups" cannot also be effective within an organization. Sometimes working groups, committees, or other group forms are more appropriate for a task than a team. A team requires special training and time to develop before reaching peak performance.*

*Katzenbach, J.R., Smith, D.K., The Wisdom of Teams: Creating the High-Performance Organization, Harper Business, 1993.

 
 

   

  
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