TOPIC 3 - Teams

Question 1

Skills required of team members

Answer 1

• co-operate, respect each other and share ideas
• listen and show support to others
• accept responsibility for their tasks within the team
• be able to resolve conflict
• good communication skills
• motivational to other members
• supportive of teams goal
• willingness to learn from other members and share skills

Question 2

Features of an effective team:
Clear shared purpose, role and goal

Answer 2

Team members should clearly know their role. believe in the goal of the team and want to contribute towards its completion.

Question 3

A good leader

Answer 3

A leader who can motivate, empower and resolve conflict quickly and fairly. They should also distribute workload fairly.

Question 4

Small size

Answer 4

4-6 members with a variety of personalities, age and experience.

Question 5

Shared attitude to risk

Answer 5

A similar attitude to risk taking is useful to avoid conflict amongst the team.

Question 6

Interdependency

Answer 6

The team members should be able to rely on each other in times of difficulty in reaching individual goals.

Question 7

Open and transparent communication

Answer 7

Team members who can communicate well with each other and trust that their opinions will be heard and valued, this will help to reduce conflict.

Question 8

Shared knowledge and skills

Answer 8

Knowledge and skills should be shared amongst the team to allow work to progress smoothly even if some members are absent.

Question 9

Time together

Answer 9

The team should be given time and opportunity to develop both inside and outside of the business.

Question 10

Stage in Team Formation

Answer 10

Teams in the ‘Performing’ stage of Tuckman will operate most effectively.

Question 11

Skills of a good team leader/reasons for a good leader

Answer 11

• helps promote positive atmosphere/good staff morale
• provides good communication channels
• helps ensure deadlines are met through effective monitoring
• effectively manages all types of people to avoid conflict within a team.

Question 12

Team Formation:
Forming

Answer 12

Team members are selected and introduced to each other.

Question 13

Storming

Answer 13

Members compete for roles within the team. There could be power struggles and disputes as members secure their role in the team.

Question 14

Norming

Answer 14

Team member start to undertake tasks and solve problems. Any conflict is resolved at this stage.

Question 15

Performing

Answer 15

The team is now settled and functioning highly.

Question 16

Performing

Answer 16

The team is now settled and functioning highly.

Question 17

Adjourning

Answer 17

Most of the teams goals have been achieved. Individual team members may be assigned to other teams and unless there is ongoing responsibility the team will be disbanded.

Question 18

Belbins team roles:
The specialist

Answer 18

The team member with specialist skills

Question 19

The ideas person

Answer 19

The imaginative team member with the ability to solve problems

Question 20

The motivator

Answer 20

The member who drives the team forward and overcomes obstacles

Question 21

Benefits to individuals of working in a team

Answer 21

• can learn skills from others in the workplace and as a result of this may have a better chance of promotion
• may feel more supported in the workplace
• may experience greater job satisfaction as they can confidently complete tasks.
• may feel more motivated and less likely to be stressed as they are not jeld individually accountable for a decision. This may also encourage team members to take greater risks and try out new ideas
• increased feeling of self worth may be experienced from being part of a team.

Question 22

Benefits to the organisation from teams

Answer 22

• better ideas generated as a result of team working together, this makes the organisation more competitive and productive
• can reduce staff turnover and absence as staff feel more motivated as part of a team.
• reduced staff turnover reduces the cost of recruitment and training
• employees may become multiskilled as they work with each other which reduces the impact on productivity of a team member being absent
• well-functioning teams require less supervision which would reduce management costs in the organisation
• as teams are more likely to take risks the organisation may gain a competitive edge

Question 23

Intranet

Answer 23

The computers are linked within an organisation and files can be accessed by multiple users. This would allow different members of the team to see and use documents required.

Question 24

Presentation Software

Answer 24

Powerpoint and googles slides can be used to present information to the team. Animation, sound and graphics can help maintain interest.

Question 25

E-diary

Answer 25

Electronic diary can be used to schedule team meetings and check when other team members are available.

Question 26

WhatsApp/Instant messaging

Answer 26

A text message service allows team members to quickly communicate with each other.
24/7 and across locations

Question 27

E-mail

Answer 27

Electronic mail can be used to aid communicated between team members. Documents can be shared. Read receipts issued.