Introduction
Team means a group of individuals that come together to contribute to a common goal. Team leadership refers to the role that one heads the members of a given group. Many organizations have excelled due to adoption of team work. The team is often formed to ensure that the set goals are worked by different members. In most cases, teams have an experienced leader who chairs a given group towards the targeted objective. During the group undertaking, all members contribute towards a specific work formula. Teams can be voluntary or compulsory depending on the type and culture of an organization.
Team leadership refers to the obligation of heading the members of a given group so that the process of achieving the goal is done effectively. Many organizations have adopted the use of teams and teamwork in goal realization as an effective way to meet the targets.
Importance of Teams and Team Leadership in Performance
There is a combination of efforts that leads to meeting the goals and objectives. Team leadership is essential for providing insights when a particular task is not done according to the requirements. Diversity plays important role in performing different roles of within the company. Team leadership is vital because it links members and the senior management. Due to the collaborative initiative, all the set procedures are accurately followed hence making the entire process to be successful (Thomas, 2004, p.123).
Team members assist one another to meet the deadline and they also support each other where there are challenges in the course of action. Team leadership is essential for providing insights when a particular task is not done according to the requirements.
Teams contribute towards goal realization for any company because of the effort from different members. Due to a range of information and expertise power, various ideas are given during teamwork which may solve problems that come along the way.
In any company, diversity is a key aspect that comes as a result of different backgrounds in terms of education, training, practice, and level of skill. When a team is formed, there are diversified means of responding to issues that may arise (Newton, 2016, p.8). The reason is that many people will have a different way of doing duties that may help others know the procedure.
Experience also matters because people who are exposed to different ways of working on a given problem help others master the specific way to settle for any issue that comes a long way when working.
Diversity is important because there is enabling of decisions by members concerning some processes and therefore, it becomes easy to work on a common goal when an individual is given liberty to contribute towards a given subject.
Difference Between Team And Work Group
Team
It has members who work interdependently for a given role that produces outcome for a company. It team comprises of people who come together for completing a targeted goal. The leader of a team acts as a facilitator. The members of a team are active in participating in discussions and the result. The work responsibilities are designed by everyone in the team. There is both individual and mutual liability in case of any issue arising. A team frequently comes together to share opinions and ideas on a given process during work (Newton, 2016, p.17).
In simpler terms, team can be termed more official since it has rules that are strict to towards the subject of the organization. There is more power in working on a given task since everyone is allowed to contribute. A team shares risks that may come along during work such as any unnecessary cost in time and resources.
Work Group
Involves two or more people who are interdependent in their specific accomplishments where they may not work in the same department. The leaders here dominate and is in charge of the entire group’s initiatives. Workgroup is not effective since conflicts may arise along the way. The leader is apparent where they conduct meetings defining most of the courses of action (Thomas, 2004, p.132).
The person in charge assigns duties to the members of the group. Any liability occurring is subject to an individual, not a group. Workgroup comes together during major decision making or when a problem is being solved.
Workgroup may be in response to personal development in regards to working for a given organization. There is no sharing of risks that come as a result of actions during working procedures. Workgroups may have ideological differences since the leader seems to decide most of the actions.
Comparison Between Formal And Informal Groups
Formal Groups
- They are formulated when two or more individuals are assembled by the executive management with the initiative of achieving a targeted goal (Muskat, 2016, p.82).
- It has formal rules and regulations where an official leader is responsible for enforcing laws and multitasking on the offer of direction and way forward for a given group.
- Importance is given to the position of the group leadership and roles.
- The team moves in a defined way under the specific goals that need to be addressed.
- They rely on status through predetermined authority duties for influencing the organization.
- Formal groups focus on a specific subject.
Informal Groups
- Are formed by two or more persons for the resolution if satisfying personal and psychological demands.
- There is no specific pattern followed, therefore, no rules, guidelines and it lacks an official leader (Thomas, 2004, p.133). Here, any person can assume leadership at different times.
- Importance is given to a person’s contribution and membership.
- Movement may stretch in all directions as long as the members can safeguard their interests.
- They tend to have more subtle cultures that may be visible through the morals, cultures and mostly the norms are unwritten (Newton, 2016, p.29).
- They are more of a raft of issues presented by anyone the time they wish to during the group’s meeting.
There is distinct reason why formal groups comes together unlike informal groups that may draw objectives upon formation. Informal groups may not be professional like formal ones since movement of processes is stretched in many sides.
Stages of Team And Workgroup Development
The forming stage is the first action that involves a moment of orientation and getting acquainted. During this stage, uncertainty is evident and people may be keen on the leadership of the team or group. The second stage is storming which is marked by crisis and rivalry as personalities emerge during the process. The third is norming stage which involves the development of consensus around who the team or work leaders are and the roles of the other members (Thomas, 2004, p.141). The fourth stage is known as performing which involves a well-established structure of members implementing and executing most of the actions for the team. The last is adjourning stage that involves wrapping up the final roles and recording the efforts and results in a document.
It is important to note that adjournment may be if the objectives were met successfully or not. A team adjourns when there is completion of goals or when there may be unavoidable circumstances. Teams and workgroups may have poor leadership if the people in charge conflict on the interests set.
Importance of Leadership in Performance
The role of leadership in maximizing group and team performance is evident in the measures taken during the working of the members. The leadership ensures that all members give sufficient contribution that is effective for getting fair results (Newton, 2016, p.8). Leadership ensures that no individual or group liability may cost the performance of the team. Leaders must ensure the resources required for the implementation of roles are offered to the team for effective performance. Due to leaders taking part in team, problems are noticed, discussed and solved using the ethical and up to standard methodologies (Newton, 2016, p.12).
When one works alone, they may not get quality result unlike when they are in a team. Therefore, teamwork increases the chances of realizing the goals du eto the collaborative efforts made by different people. Success in any organization comes when teamwork is prioritized.
Conclusion
Teamwork is essential because realization of vision and mission depends with how people work together. Leadership in groups is important since the people in charge of leading others in any team help in spotting shortcomings of a group. Work group differs from team because in a work group, members may be making efforts to achieve their inner goals. Team comes together to work on a given strategy that has been set together by the management in organizations. Any business that wishes to thrive in markets should encourage team work. Leadership in groups and teams should be based on experience and the qualification that an individual has in influencing others. For an effective way of leading team, management should focus on what process is required for the objectives to be met. Team leaders should be capable of balancing between the goals of an organization and the quality in terms of service delivery.
References
Muskat, B., (2016). ‘Celebrating Neurodiversity: An Often-Overlooked Difference in Group Work’, Social Work with Groups, 40(2), pp.81-84. Web.
Newton, P. (2016). Leadership Theories: Leadership Skills. Web.
Super, J. (2020). ‘Building innovative teams: leadership strategies across the various stages of team development’, Business Horizons, 63(4), pp.553-563. Web.
Thomas, N. (2004). John Adair Handbook of Management and Leadership. London: Thorogood Publishing