11 Characteristics/Features of a Team [Explained]

Characteristics of a Team

A team is a group of people whose skills are reciprocal to each other in order to achieve a common objective. The following are the common characteristics/features of an effective team.

Inspiring Goal and Unified Commitment

The team contains a clear goal communicated to all members. Well-accepted goals inspire the members. All the members show unified commitment. With the total commitment from the team members organizational goals would be achieved more easily.

Shared Goal

In addition to the inspiring goal, a team also has a common goal. All the members of a team have one thing in common that is they all are directed to achieve a shared goal. Management creates teams and assigns a specific task or goal to each team and members of each team should be focused on achieving the assigned goal.

Members Have Complementary Skills

Teams are formed with the members having complementary skills required to accomplish the team task. All team members’ skills should be supportive of each other. The productivity of teams can be improved through a coordinated effort.

Mutual Accountability

Team members are interdependent on each other. One’s actions affect the performance of the whole team. Everyone’s contribution is appreciated when the team goal is achieved. And, everyone is held accountable for the performance of the team.

Related: The 5 Types of Teams

No one is blamed, underestimated, or overestimated when things go wrong during teamwork. Every team member has individual and team accountability.

Collaborative Climate

Commitment from team members and good leadership leads to a collaborative team with a productive work environment. Appreciation, as well as appraisal, is required to keep the morale of the team high which is done with mutual understanding and acceptable norms. Each member supports to other as each member has individual as well as team accountability.

Practice of Leadership

In teamwork, leadership is practiced. A team leader is appointed to every team with the necessary power and duties and is held accountable for the performance of his team. Leaders should clarify each member’s role and how their contribution will help to accomplish the team’s goal.

Synergy

It is impossible to generate synergy by an individual person. In teams, the synergy effect is generated through the coordinated effort of all team members.

Compatibility and Mutual Trust

Team members should have mutual trust and respect for one another. If there is mistrust among team members the desired goals can not be achieved. Similarly, team members should be able to work together comfortably.

Two-Way Communication

Communication is a fundamental part of an effective team. A team should have an open and two-way communication system. It is necessary that the team leader appropriately share the mission of the team among members. Members should also be allowed to comment on the team settings.

Effective Feedback System

Thinking out of the box is essential for team performance. Members are carefully listened to and give thoughtful feedback. Listening is an important skill for any team leader. The thoughts and ideas of each member have to be listened to, with respect.

Similarly, the performance of each team member should be reviewed properly and necessary measures should be applied when needed.

Realistic Deadlines

One of the characteristics of an effective team is that it has realistic deadlines. Each team has a specific task and a realistic time frame to accomplish the task. To attain the goal, teams receive external support as well as aid. Coordination among team members is vital to achieving standard jobs at the right time.

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