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Team Development: Are you working in a Group or a TEAM?

Following on from January’s newsletter were we looked at the does and don’ts of Team Building we have been having conversations around what defines a Team and a Group. Having worked with a lot of Groups/Teams over the years we see the Leader/Manager and the members have a different ideas of were they are at.

Are you working in a TEAM? GROUPS

·          little communication

·          no support

·          lack of vision

·          exclusive cliques

 ·          the whole is less than the sum of its parts

·          seeks to hide its identity

·          leaves new members to find their own way but insists on conformity

·          leader manipulates team to own ends

TEAMS

·          Plenty of opportunity for discussion

·          plenty of support

·          process of discovery supported by openness and honesty

·          tactical and work groups combine easily into a single team

·          the whole is greater than the sum of its parts

 ·          seeks to discover its identity

·          welcomes new members by showing them existing norms and openness to change

·          leader seeks team decisions by serving the team as a focus for two way communication 

The word 'team' derives from the use of oxen or bullocks shackled together to create a focused, shared force for transporting heavy materials.