3 Tips for Team Effectiveness

Jake Stoddard

9:30

3 Tips for Team Effectiveness

            Great team effectiveness can be difficult to achieve at times. Since we deal with team situations all the time throughout our lives, this paper will help solve a few of these problems.  First, strong communication is vital to the performance of a team. Second, play to each other’s strengths. This will help move the project along with a smoother pace. Third, use meeting time wisely; since not getting to the point will drag down the team, it helps to stay on track.

            Communication is vital to a team, which is why I decided to make this point first. Having an open stream of collaboration allows for the flow of ideas and criticism for the group to coordinate with. Without communication, even the greatest of teams will have a hard time completing a project. To find out if you have great communication, first ask your team, “Do team members communicate clearly and honestly with each other?”(Heathfield).

            The ability to play to each other’s strengths can be a way to leverage a group to increase the speed their project is finished, as well as the quality of the final product. Just like how a professional basketball teams places the right players into their respected positions, to increase their efficiency and ability to complete their task. “Working to your strengths is a great way of saving time, reducing frustration and creating a sense of empowerment. This would allow your team to perform in a role or position where they are likely to perform at their best.”(Patterson).

            “No one feels productive sitting through hours of status updates in a team meeting. Then use the scarce time with the group to brainstorm how the break through blocking issues”(Mader). While meetings are meant to motivate and excite teams, irrelevant or strung-out meetings tend to do the exact opposite. Stay on task, and make each point as critical as possible to maintain effective meeting time and keep the team motivated.

            Team effectiveness is at times difficult to maintain, but if done well, it can really make a difference in the outcome of a project. When constructing a team dynamic, don’t forget to communicate in a open and fluid environment, assign roles according to each others abilities, and keeps meetings on task and relevant. Doing so will increase productivity and create a overall higher quality product.

·       Heathfield, S. 12 Tips for Team Building humanresources.about.com Retrieved February 20, 2014 from http://about.com.

·       Patterson, M. (2010, September 2) 7 Tips for Developing an Effective Team Biznik.com. Retrieved February 20, 2014 from http://biznik.com.

·       Mader, M. (2010, March 8) Top 10 Tips for Effective Team Task Management [Web log post]. Retrieved February 20, 2014, from http://www.easybib.com.