by Teresa Armstrong

Created on: January 07, 2007   Last Updated: June 18, 2010

Teams In the Workplace

Teams working together in the workplace is extremely productive and profitable. Teams working together increase problem-solving skills and innovation, quality, and decrease turnover and absenteeism. (Scarnati, J 2006) Teams have an overall high success rate when well structured and the communication between the team members stays open throughout the project. A team is a collection of individuals who have gathered to achieve the same goal. [Electronic Source]

Problem-solving skills and innovation increases when teams work together (Scarnati 2006). Teams give the opportunity to share different perspectives about a particular subject. Individuals skills and strengths vary immensely and when combined can create new knowledge and ideas. Team members can then combine ideas and common interests to create an interesting and knowledgeable project (Scarnati, 2006). Teams create a sense of creativity. By recognizing specific personality types and skill basis, a random group of individuals can be structured to become a highly effective team which can deliver much more than the sum.

Working as a team also promotes higher quality work. Teams in the workplace create a sense of ownership too the project (Scarnati, J 2006). Possessing ownership on a specified project also increases efficiency and good customer service skills to an individual. According to Scarnati, when a group has a common goal and perform work together the results are of higher quality standards. Successful teams usually consist of not more than five to eight team members. Each team member must be extremely careful not to duplicate others work to get the most of their time and remain productive (Johnson, Heimann, O'Neil. 2000).

Team work decreases the alienation affect that some feel while working alone resulting in lower absenteeism and turnover for the company. Ownership, as mentioned above, gives a sense of pride and partnership for the work completed (The Dynamics of Diversity, 2006). A team mate is less likely to miss work while on a team for not wanting to cause failure or disappointment. Teammates receive feedback and feel that they have made an impact on the situation or project. According the Laroche (2001), recognizing the differences between the members of multi-culture team can help a company take advantage of a diversity of experience and thoughts.

While teams still have upsides and downsides: teams in the workplace create a positive attitude and commitment resulting in innovation, quality and lower absenteeism. (Scarnati 2005) Teams can be very successful when handled in the proper manner and team members remain to communicate with each other. Teams are a productive and innovative way to implement new ideas and goals within a company or workplace.

References:

Johnson, Heimann, O'Neil. Journal of workplace Learning. Bradford: 2000. Vol.12,Iss. 4; p. 159. Retrieved 2006 from ProQuest. University of Phoenix Library Resource.

Laroche, Lionel. CMA Management. Hamilton: April 2001. Vol. 75. Iss. 2; p.22-26. Retrieved 2006 from ProQuest. University of Phoenix Library Resource.

Learning Team Toolkit. "Calling a Team Doesn't Mean That It Is: 'Successful Teamwork Must Be A Way of Life'". Retrieved 2006 from University of Phoenix eResource.

Scarnati, James. On Becoming a Team Player. 2001. Vol. 7; p. 5-10. Retrieved 2006 from Emerald at University of Phoenix Library resource.

The Dynamics of Diversity, Credit Union Magazine. 2006. Vol. 72: Iss. 10; p. 14-15. Retrieved 2006 from Business Source Complete at University of Phoenix Library.

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