Working Effectively as a Team

Working effectively in a team is an essential skill you will need to succeed in the business world.  To work as an effective team you should apply these three suggestions.  First, you should have clearly defined goals and objectives.  Second, have frequent and open communication with your team members.  Third, assign your team members to tasks that play to their strengths and skills.

You should always have a goal or objective in mind.  Without it, you will not achieve or accomplish anything.  This principle is the same for working in a team.  Without clearly defined objectives and goals in mind, your team will be ineffective and inefficient.  According to Morton Paterson from Biznik, “If your team is clear on the objectives, the outcome and what is expected of them, you will engender greater commitment.” (Patterson, 2010).  Once you have a focus in mind, proper communication takes over.

Regular and open communication helps a team avoid problems and empowers members.  If you do not communicate your team will break down.  Miscommunications will create problems and waste valuable time and resources.  An open communicating environment allows team members a chance to voice their opinions and concerns without fear of criticism.  With an open communication environment, you will be better able to assign tasks and responsibilities.

            Assigning team members tasks that allow them to use their strengths and skills will make sure your team functions effectively and efficiently.  Your time and resources are limited, and you don’t want to waste them making members work on what they aren’t already good at.  According to Jason Hiner from Tech Republic, “Make sure you have the right people in the right seats.” (Hiner, 2007)

            To make a team function effectively and efficiently, you need to have a clear objective with which to focus effort.  It is also important that you have frequent and open communication with all team members.  And if you want to utilize your time and resources to the maximum level, assign tasks and duties to individuals with skills and strengths suited to those tasks.

References

Hiner, J. (2007, May 1). 10 tips for leading your team to peak performance. Retrieved February 17, 2014, from TechRepulic: http://www.techrepublic.com/article/10-tips-for-leading-your-team-to-peak-performance/#.

Patterson, M. (2010, September 2). 7 Tips for Developing an Effective Team. Retrieved February 17, 2014, from Biznik: http://biznik.com/articles/7-tips-for-developing-an-effective-team