The extensive use of work teams benefits organizations by fostering positive synergy and individual and mutual accountability, by providing more flexibility in how tasks are carried out, and by helping employees develop greater confidence in their abilities and the team. It also enables teams to take calculated risks toward new ventures, which can lead to greater innovation and higher productivity.
In addition to enabling individuals to produce more, teamwork also increases their level of satisfaction at work and makes them more likely to stick with the company long-term. This is because members feel more valued, supported and committed to the project.
Stronger connections between team members helps them communicate better in real time, reducing delays and friction and improving the quality of output. It also enables them to resolve conflict without managers intervening.
Connecting to the organization
When a work team is connected to the organization, it discusses its performance in relationship to corporate priorities and customer feedback. It also considers its own needs in light of the larger organization’s objectives and what will best serve joint goals.
A common practice in many companies is to create cross-functional teams, a group of people from several different areas of the business. These groups are often called by a variety of names, but they all share a common goal: achieving a specific objective.
To be able to achieve this objective, it is vital for the team to have members with a range of skill sets and knowledge levels. It is also important that the team members are able to work together closely, as they must share their ideas and concerns in order to brainstorm and generate solutions.