Objectives Are Clear
The team's mission and objectives are clearly stated and accepted by all. Members are also aware of organizational and individual objectives. An action plan has been adopted to reach these goals and results of organizational goals are open to team members.

Relaxed Climate is Encouraged
The atmosphere is comfortable and informal. There is no tension created by team members.

Group Involvement is Fostered
Everyone participates in discussion and actions. Those who are not participating are encouraged by other team members to get involved.

Two-Way Communication is Practiced
Team members solicit feedback, use active listening techniques to increase understanding, and give feedback to each other.

Disagreement is Accepted
The team accepts and encourages disagreement as a way to discuss new ideas. They do not avoid or suppress conflict but encourage debate to draw out issues.

Decisions Are Collaborative
The team avoids formal voting and compromise. Agreement is reached through discussion and consensus.

Feelings Are Expressed
Members feel comfortable expressing their likes and dislikes about tasks and relationships. Team members respect each other's feelings, even when they do not agree.

Expectations Are Clear
Team members are clear about their roles. Assignments are clearly made, accepted by the members, and performed to the members' best ability. The work of the team is distributed equitably.

Leadership is Shared
Leadership functions shift from individual to individual depending on the situation, group needs, and members' expertise. The formal leader asks others to take leadership roles as appropriate.

Outside Relationships Are Developed
Team members develop working relationships and credibility with key people in other departments. Each team member is a link between the rest of the organization and the team.

Diversity is Valued
A wide variety of team member styles are present. Members understand that individuals, whether they have analytical skills, processing skills, people skills, questioning skills, etc., have unique contributions to make to the team.

Effectiveness is Assessed
The team consistently examines how well it is accomplishing tasks and how effectively it is building and maintaining relationships. Factors that may be hindering effectiveness are determined and steps are taken to improve performance.

Team Members Respect Leader
They are principled, have integrity, and are open and honest.

Team Has Fun
They are encouraged to enjoy jobs.

Team Members Communicate Across Organizational Lines
There is no compunction about talking to each other or other levels in the organization.


Team Members Are Competent
Other members judge that each of the others is in the right position for their abilities

I. Effective Team Building
Some organizations view teams as a management panacea. They form teams even when work doesn't require it. Other organizations give lip service yet don't really support it with the training program or operational autonomy necessary to make the tame effective.

In searching for ways to properly use and manage teams, the first question should be, "What is the problem?" and "What is the work to be done?" Then, "What is the best way to solve it?" if a team is needed to solve the problem or get the work done, ten create one. If not, Don't. Some kinds of work is still best left to individuals.

Typical problems that may be addresses by a team include staff apathy, a lack of cohesiveness in work groups, conflict among members of a work group, and confusion about assignments and/or work relationships. Teams can also take on issues such as production losses, the need to improve quality or productivity, ineffective meetings and the need to create a more participative work climate.

Building a Team
The first step in building a team is to select and train the managers. They will need training in listening, communication and reinforcement of skills, as well as the goal setting and facilitative techniques needed to run a meeting.

The second step is to ask the team members to define how an effective team works and get them to collaborate on that definition, with little or no direction from the leader. By most definitions, an effective team has the following elements:

• An elected goal.
• Respect for the leader who is principled.
• Group goals the take precedence over individual goals.
• Candid communication and a collaborative climate.
• Competent members who give each other feedback and reinforce individual progress.
• A results oriented milieu.
• A unified commitment.
• A Standard of excellence.
• External support.

• On a large flip chart sheet of paper, have each member list his four greatest strengths as a team member and one area which needs to be improved to be more effective as a team member.
• Rotate all team members and ask each to add to the list of the others or concur with the comments.
• Have members report the consensus of their feedback to the group. Each member should commit to working on the areas of improvement, and all should agree to reinforce others as they improve.
• Have them meet within 60 days to discuss the improvements.

• Provide initial direction.
• Clarify assignments.
• Give performance feedback.
• Trust the members.
• Strive for commitment.
• Share company information.
• Take charge where appropriate.
• Reinforce decision-making, creative solutions and cooperation.