WHAT: In Group Dynamics for Teams, Levi discusses the importance of having clear and attainable goals in teamwork (pg. 9, Levi). If a team has a strong understanding of what their goal is, they are most likely going to be able to reach that goal much easier than a team vague goals. Company goals, in general, are very important when it comes to measuring the company’s success and assigning tasks for individuals or teams to work on.
SO WHAT: When employees are placed into teams to work toward a company goal, it often gives the individuals a sense of importance within the company. Being in a team with something important to work on can make one feel seen and appreciated and connected to the company at a higher level. When a team is given a goal to work toward, confusion and uncertainty of what they should be spending their time focusing on. This will allow them to work efficiently and with more purpose. Levi also defines successful teamwork in three ways. They are completing the task, developing social relations, and benefitting the individual. These all go along with the importance of clear goals. Completing a task can be very difficult unless it is given as a clear and understandable goal, but if that task can be completed, it shows that the team was able to work together well and trouble-shoot where needed. Often, teams that are assembled consist of individuals who are passionate about the goals and tasks placed before them. That will give them the motivation to make decisions that they see as necessary to complete the task. Developing social relations within a team is important because getting to know the other individuals in your group will allow you to feel more comfortable to trust them and what they have to say about the tasks. Without social relations, there is a lack of trust, a lack of communication, a lack of cohesion, and a lack of motivation. All of those listed are needed when it comes to defining a team’s success. There is no way to be successful if there are no social relations. A group should be able to benefit the individuals in it as well as the individuals benefitting the group. If each person in the group learns something and takes away new methods or skills, then the team is successful, because they are now learning to be successful with others and by themselves.
NOW WHAT: There can be many factors that are related to a team’s success, but some of the most relevant factors are clear and common goals, completing the task, developing social relations, and benefitting the individual. If any of these are unattainable for a group, they need to be willing to make adjustments to be able to reach the goals and tasks given to them. If groups work well together, they can last for long times and continue doing tasks for their company.
Levi, D. (2017). Group Dynamics for Teams (5th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. ISBN: 978-1-4833-7834-3.
Inc.com. (2020). 4 Reasons You Need to Set Business Goals. [online] Available at: https://www.inc.com/michael-olguin/4-reasons-you-need-to-set-business-goals.html [Accessed 6 Feb. 2020].
Sandler Training. (2020). 6 Benefits of Teamwork in the Workplace | Sandler Training. [online] Available at: https://www.sandler.com/blog/6-benefits-of-teamwork-in-the-workplace/ [Accessed 6 Feb. 2020].
Forbes.com. (2020). What Makes A Successful Team?. [online] Available at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/carleysime/2019/03/26/what-makes-a-successful-team/#579ab7be2348 [Accessed 6 Feb. 2020].
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