Teamwork
Teamwork plays a crucial role in ensuring the success of a business. This is because teams are tools of unity in the workplace. They help build friendship and loyalty among the organization’s members.
A good workplace relationship motivates, creates a positive environment, and enhances productivity (Costa, Fulmer, and Anderson, 2018, p. 170). Teamwork also enhances efficiency due to the organization’s structure. Teams allow proper allocation of duties based on specialization. Additionally, teamwork facilitates creativity and innovation, which is attributed to the sharing of knowledge and skills (Costa, Fulmer, and Anderson, 2018, p. 170).
Being part of a team comprised of individuals with diverse areas of expertise can help one grow. This is through the provision of opportunities for sharing knowledge and members cross-training each other. An individual can learn new concepts and experiences from teammates. Furthermore, one can learn how to avoid future mistakes by observing and gaining insights from others’ mistakes.
Importance of Team Leadership
Leadership is a vital tool for the progressive growth of an organization. Team leadership improves the execution and management of a corporation’s duties. It improves decision-making by having collective thoughts. Furthermore, it fosters innovation at the administrative level by sharing ideas (Stoverink et al., 2020, p. 400). Collective leadership fosters integrity and honesty, enabling the business to progress.
Team leadership is considered to be a motivational tool. A better management that understands its members and addresses their concerns diligently gives people a sense of belonging and ownership. The teammates feel obligated to make their group succeed, and they, therefore, have the morale to work. Additionally, effective team leadership is crucial in ensuring the team achieves its goals through strategic planning and informed decision-making. This role is best suited for a team with skilled and experienced leaders.
Differences Between Workgroups and Teams
Workgroups and teams are often used interchangeably, but they are structured differently. In workgroups, individuals are held responsible independently of one another. In teamwork, the whole team is accountable for every action taken.
While teams work together or independently to achieve a common goal, workgroups aim for different goals for each member (Chung et al., 2018, p. 80). The goals of teams are set through the collective engagement of all members. This is in contrast to workgroups, where the group manager sets the objectives. Teamwork requires regular meetings in which vital decisions are made and implemented. On the other hand, group work has periodic meetings to share perspectives.
Comparing and Contrasting Informal and Formal Groups
Formal and informal groups are compared and contrasted differently. For instance, the structure of both groups is based on norms, member relations, and affiliation (Sanyal & Hisam, 2018, p. 16). The groups are formed specifically to meet the set goals by working together. In both categories, task allocation is based on individual abilities to enhance effectiveness.
Although formal and informal groups share similarities, they differ in several ways. The formal groups, for instance, primarily focus on task accomplishment, while informal groups seek to satisfy members. In contrast to informal groups, which are not structured, formal groups are predefined and well-established (Sanyal & Hisam, 2018, p. 18). The relevance of a member in a formal group is defined by the position one holds. In contrast, informal groups rely on an individual’s social status and personality.
Process of Group Forming
The process of forming a group is vital in ensuring that the formed team meets its objectives. The stages of group forming include forming, the first of which involves bringing members together (Patterson, 2022). The storming stage allows members to familiarize themselves with the goals and objectives and share their thoughts. Norming is the third stage, which involves clearly defining the group. The focus is on shared work and the team’s values.
The fourth stage is performing, which entails the group carrying out the set task and striving to meet its objectives. Motivation is considered the key to this stage, ensuring that members are focused on success. Adjourning is the fifth and final stage, in which the members finalize their roles. The group is assessed and evaluated to determine whether the aims have been met.
Role of Team Leadership in Team Performance
Effective leadership is crucial to the effectiveness of a group. Leaders promote trust and loyalty among members to ensure growth (Yates & Scott, 2019, p. 22). Effective leadership is also essential in managing groups, supervising members, and ensuring they follow instructions (Bagga, Gera, and Haque, 2022). Team leaders also serve as mentors and tutors to their members, providing adequate guidance and training. Timely problem-solving is crucial in maintaining high morale among teammates.
References
Bagga, S.K., Gera, S. and Haque, S.N., 2022. The mediating role of organizational culture: Transformational leadership and change management in virtual teams. Asia Pacific Management Review.
Chung, B.G., Ehrhart, K.H., Shore, L.M., Randel, A.E., Dean, M.A. and Kedharnath, U., 2020. Work group inclusion: Test of a scale and model. Group & Organization Management, 45(1), pp.75-102.
Costa, A.C., Fulmer, C.A. and Anderson, N.R., 2018. Trust in work teams: An integrative review, multilevel model, and future directions. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 39(2), pp.169-184.