Since the mid-1980s, group- and team-based forms of work have gained particular popularity due to changed market and competitive conditions, the change in values and increased employee qualifications. People like to work in teams because, as a "zoon politicon", they also have a need for togetherness and social interaction in the world of work. The high operational benefit of teamwork is reflected in the division of labour, effectiveness and efficiency, time and cost savings; in addition, the flexibility, creativity and innovative capacity of the team generate major competitive advantages. However, if the hoped-for effects do not materialise, leadership is often identified as a problem area. Classical leadership research reaches its limits when it comes to team-oriented work, because team leadership is considerably more complex than leading individuals, because it has to take into account additional processes at the group level.
The aim of this paper is to shed light on the factors that influence teamwork and to use them to show how team leadership must be designed in order to contribute optimally to team success. Therefore, the characteristics and phenomena of teamwork will first be examined under 2. and team success defined. This is significantly influenced by the variables "team composition" and "team leadership". While the composition of the team will be dealt with in section 3, team leadership will be the focus of attention in section 4; the explanations there will also form the main focus of the work.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Teamwork
- 2.1 Definition Team
- 2.2 Special features of teamwork
- 2.2.1 Self-organization
- 2.2.2 Social team development and cohesion
- 2.3 Phenomena of teamwork
- 2.4 Team success
- 3. Composition of teams
- 3.1 Team size
- 3.2 Competencies and personalities of the team members
- 3.3 Roles
- 4. Team leadership
- 4.1 Definition and function of team leadership
- 4.2 The team leader
- 4.3 Leadership style
- 4.4 Leadership activities
- 4.4.1 Design
- 4.4.2 Organize
- 4.4.3 Implement
- 4.5 Team development and leadership
- 4.5.1 Forming
- 4.5.2 Storming
- 4.5.3 Norming
- 4.5.4 Performing
- 5. Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
The objective of this work is to illuminate the factors influencing teamwork and to demonstrate how team leadership should be designed to optimally contribute to team success. The work examines the characteristics and phenomena of teamwork, defining team success and analyzing its key influences: team composition and team leadership.
- Defining teamwork and differentiating it from group work.
- Analyzing the key features of effective teamwork, including self-organization and social team development.
- Exploring the impact of team composition (size, competencies, roles) on team success.
- Examining the role of team leadership in fostering team success.
- Investigating the phenomena that can positively or negatively impact teamwork.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces the increasing popularity of team-based work since the mid-1980s, driven by market changes, evolving values, and enhanced employee qualifications. It highlights the operational benefits of teamwork, such as improved efficiency, flexibility, and innovation, while acknowledging the challenges often associated with team leadership. The chapter sets the stage for exploring the factors influencing teamwork and the design of effective team leadership to maximize success.
2. Teamwork: This chapter delves into the definition of a team, distinguishing it from a mere group. It emphasizes the importance of shared goals, commitment, interdependence, and efficient interaction within a team. The chapter also highlights the significance of task-related autonomy and social team development in fostering teamwork and success. It introduces self-organization as a crucial element and discusses social team development and cohesion, outlining the Tuckman model's phases of team development (Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing, Adjourning) and their impact on group cohesion and performance. Finally, it explores phenomena like groupthink and social loafing, which can negatively affect team performance.
3. Composition of teams: This chapter focuses on the various aspects of team composition that contribute to its success. It delves into the impact of team size, the competencies and personalities of team members, and the roles within the team. The interplay of these elements is examined, exploring how a well-balanced composition can facilitate effective collaboration and achieve shared goals. This section likely explores the optimal combination of skills and personalities to maximize team performance and address potential challenges stemming from imbalances or conflicts.
4. Team leadership: This chapter centers on team leadership, defining its function and contrasting it with leadership in individual settings. It examines the role of the team leader, different leadership styles, and leadership activities encompassing planning, organizing, and implementation. A key focus is on team development and leadership, using Tuckman's model to illustrate how leadership styles and activities should adapt to the different phases (Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing). The chapter likely explores how effective leadership can guide the team through these stages to reach optimal performance.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Teamwork, team leadership, team composition, self-organization, social team development, group cohesion, team success, groupthink, social loafing, Tuckman model, leadership styles, autonomy, collaboration, performance.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Guide to Teamwork and Team Leadership
What is the main focus of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive overview of teamwork and team leadership. It explores the factors influencing team success, examining team composition, leadership styles, and the dynamics of team development.
What topics are covered in the Table of Contents?
The document covers the following key areas: Introduction, Teamwork (including definitions, special features, phenomena, and success factors), Composition of Teams (size, competencies, and roles), Team Leadership (definition, function, leadership styles, and activities, including team development stages), and Conclusion. Each main section is further broken down into sub-sections for a detailed exploration of each topic.
What are the key objectives and themes of the document?
The main objective is to illuminate the factors influencing teamwork and to demonstrate how team leadership should be designed to optimally contribute to team success. Key themes include defining teamwork, analyzing effective teamwork features (self-organization and social development), exploring the impact of team composition on success, examining the role of team leadership, and investigating phenomena affecting teamwork (both positively and negatively).
What are the chapter summaries?
The Introduction sets the context of increasing team-based work and its benefits and challenges. The Teamwork chapter defines teams, highlighting shared goals, interdependence, and the importance of self-organization and social team development (including the Tuckman model). The Composition of Teams chapter focuses on team size, member competencies, roles, and their interplay. The Team Leadership chapter defines team leadership, explores leadership styles and activities, and uses the Tuckman model to illustrate how leadership should adapt to different team development phases.
What is the Tuckman model, and how is it used in this document?
The Tuckman model (Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing, Adjourning) describes the stages of team development. This document uses the model to illustrate how team dynamics evolve and how leadership styles should adapt to each stage to optimize team performance and cohesion.
What are some key phenomena discussed that can impact teamwork?
The document discusses both positive and negative phenomena affecting teamwork. Positive aspects include self-organization and social team development contributing to cohesion and success. Negative phenomena include groupthink and social loafing, which can hinder performance.
What keywords describe the main topics of this document?
Key terms include: Teamwork, team leadership, team composition, self-organization, social team development, group cohesion, team success, groupthink, social loafing, Tuckman model, leadership styles, autonomy, and collaboration.
What is the intended audience of this document?
The document is intended for academic use, focusing on analyzing themes related to teamwork and team leadership in a structured and professional manner. The provided language preview suggests it's for students or researchers studying organizational behavior, management, or related fields.
What is the purpose of providing a language preview with title, table of contents, objectives, chapter summaries, and keywords?
The language preview provides a concise and structured overview of the document's content. It allows readers to quickly understand the scope, key themes, and main arguments, enabling them to efficiently determine the relevance and value of the full document for their academic purposes.
- Quote paper
- Anne-Cathrin Schöler (Author), 2011, Teamwork and Team Leadership, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1152746
