Why We Need Teams

The groups we form within an organization can be a valuable resource. Executive Operations Manager, Ivan Lasater explains why we need teams in the workplace.

A team in the workplace is a formal group within an organization whose members work towards a common goal. Teams are generally put together for a specific purpose such as sales, marketing, accounting, etc. They are referred to as a formal group because team members don’t necessarily have a choice to be a part of it and as opposed to an informal group, they are usually put together by an organization within a hierarchy. 

A team is formed for a specific purpose but the needs of a team are many. Team members, as part of a group, have individual needs. Often times team members rely on other team members to fulfill those needs. Given the fact that this is a formal group, individuals acting together require that the needs are both social and formal in nature.

• Individuals who perform certain tasks may require the support of specialists or other team members to complete their task.
• The need to feel a sense of purpose and an awareness of how the particular job an individual performs fits into the big picture.
• This is the need to feel the collective goal of the team, what focus do you share that makes your team important and what uniqueness sets your team apart from others. It could involve a mascot, team logo or name.
• Team members often seek interpersonal relationships within a group to fulfill their social needs and to make connections and compile resources.
• The need for communication and interaction is essential to the function of the group. Team members must send and receive messages with clarity. Information must be passed in a timely and proficient manner for the team to meet its objectives.
• Teams must have a clear definition of what the respective roles are. This may include a chain of command or hierarchy within the team. This also helps to separate the team into separate yet appropriate functions.
• An agreed upon set of norms within a group, including group rules, fall under the group standard. Conforming to these standards helps to regulate fairness within the team.
• Common goals. The team must have a purpose and clear objectives should be shared throughout the team to inspire a group focus.

Teams in the workplace are a great idea because they encourage people to work together. When people function together, they become more efficient. The resources they have at their disposal are made up of other team members who may have the ability to help support their function. The social interactions and interpersonal relationships that are formed within these formal groups often times translate to interpersonal relationships outside the workplace. Friendships are formed and the group coalesces as a result. Organizations depend on these teams to boost productivity. The idea of shared goals and group thought is utilized by businesses to help consolidate redundant tasks and avoid bureaucratic tangles. It is not only a more efficient way of completing specific functions within an organization, the reason why we need teams is they encourages interaction and cooperation on a personal level between individuals, helping them to establish healthy relationships within the workplace.

To learn more about Ivan Lasater, visit his Curriculum Vitae by clicking this link.