Chances are extremely good that during your career you have been and/or are currently part of a work related team. Especially today, the existence of teams are viewed as a most effective way to gain the input and the focus that real solutions require. When a team is effective in the outcomes they achieve, the company can succeed in 
moving more rapidly and with greater confidence toward the direction in which they travel. And when it’s not, the outcome can range from disappointing to a gross waste.
‘Teams, as such, have various functions and purposes in service of their organization. Perhaps it’s the senior management team responsible for overseeing the development and progress of the company. Or, it’s a departmental team made up of members of that group. Or, it could be a single-purpose team that is assembled for a specific project and is disbanded upon accomplishing the related task.
Regardless of team ‘type’, one of the things that they all have in common is that the participants involvement on their team is almost always an extra responsibility to the individual job that they do. As coaches, we are frequently called upon to work on improving the team performance and outcomes. And what we see is that so often, although comprised of people who have the knowledge and skills related to the task at hand, little time is devoted to creating the atmosphere and developing the respected relationships that can make the difference between being highly or poorly effective. Given the cost related to the team involvement of individual members, more and more organizations across many industries and types are seeking help to streamline the effectiveness of their internal teams.
Understanding the importance of maximizing efficiency, The Third Zone has created an opinion paper entitled Highly Effective Work Teams. It is designed to serve as a guide for any team type in terms of the components that make for maximized effectiveness and success. The various topics addressed include:
- A TEAM IN NAME OR A TEAM IN GAME?
Addressing the seriousness of the anticipated outcomes achieved
- THE FOUNDATION FOR SUCCESS – WHAT ALL TEAM MEMBERS NEED TO KNOW
Understanding the team’s purpose and why you and others are on the team
- WHAT IS BEING A ‘TEAM PLAYER’ AND THE CONTRIBUTION TO SUCCESS?
What are the qualities synonymous with a good team player and what makes that person a valuable
contributor
- HOW TO VIEW TEAM MEMBERS AND MAKE THEM YOUR PERSONAL ASSETS
Using your team members to increase your learning and your contributing value
- INDIVIDUAL HABITS THAT ARE COUNTERPRODUCTIVE TO TEAM SUCCESS
Explore the individual habits and practices that work against team effectiveness
- VIEWING THE GENERATIONAL DIVIDE AS THE ASSET IT IS
Age differences within the team create added strength or are detrimental as one chooses to view them
I hope that you’ll intentionally take the time to download and review Highly Effective Work Teams. When you do I believe that you will find this guide to be a good measuring stick against which you can measure the various teams of which you are or have been a part and the level of accomplishment that was achieved. It’s pretty safe to surmise that at least, it is bound to influence your next team involvement. I welcome your comments.
Mike Dorman
