10 Steps to Successful Teams

10 Steps to Successful Teams by Renie McClay is a guide for team leaders and team members who are charged with accomplishing tasks through collaborative workforce groups. Organizations that use teams effectively accomplish more than simply solving internal problems; they create a culture of self-motivated problem solvers. Teams are made up of leaders who maintain a balance between keeping the group on task and allowing the team to make its own decisions, and members who communicate, collaborate, solve problems, and ensure tasks get accomplished. The leader directs the initial activities of forming the team, helping members learn new skills, and setting up the mission, focus, and process. Team members should be selected according to their strengths and weaknesses, and what they can contribute to the team. Teams develop and mature over time, and should be assessed periodically. Effective teams work through barriers and complexities under tight deadlines and are willing to work with others to get things done. Successful teams use standard processes that can be repeated, which delivers results and provides a framework in which to track results and progress. Conducting assessments is a way for team leaders and team members to get immediate feedback on what they are doing well and which areas need improvement. A virtual team works interdependently with a shared purpose across space, time, and organizational boundaries using technology. Building virtual teams is complex because effective solutions are needed to blend people, process, and technology. To lead a successful virtual team, the leader must take a disparate group of people and cultures and develop a team that combines the best of each culture and the strengths of each individual .Recognizing the additional effort a team member gives is important. People are willing to put in extra effort when someone notices and appreciates their contribution