Working as a Team

1. Introduction People form teams to accomplish a shard goal or task and have done so since the beginning of human history. For instance, cavemen building a fire together, students working on a group project, or basketball players playing on the same team, the need for teamwork is becoming greater. Parker (2011) suggests that teamwork is essential for business organizations to achieve success. Nowadays, working efficiently with others in a team is a key skill in order to survive in the competitive world of work.
In any global business, certain skills and strategies are needed to incorporate into developing teams to maintain effective outcomes. The range of skills includes motivation, conflict management and team goals. This essay will examine the three mentioned aspects of teamwork that would prepare a person to work effectively in a team environment, supported by two real world examples for each aspect to show how individuals in organizations work successfully as active team players. 2. Body Firstly, motivation is an essential element in team-based workplaces.
Workers are not mechanism, when they are asked to do the same tasks repeatedly, they will easily lose their interest or passion for their jobs. Consequently, a good way to keep team members’ passion is to motivate them. Motivation theory is one of the most vital theories in Human Resource Management. Armstrong (2001, p. 155) explains the motivation theory is applicable in organizations where they motivate their team members to utilize their skills and knowledge. This would aid at surpassing the organizations’ goals and improve the capability to provide better for their teams.

According to a research conducted by Macky and Johnson (2003, p. 82), the result shows that when teams are provided with a satisfactory workplace reflecting each personal necessity and requirement, instead of a higher wage or bonus, members are motivated to work harder and more efficiently. This indicates that using beneficial motivators is becoming more important in nowadays business. In the operation of organizations, examples show motivation plays an important role in achieving success. Howard Schultz, the chief executive officer (CEO) of Google Inc. hich is based in California, considers that the success of the company is to put their employees as the first priority in its offices. According to the official website of Google (2011), the company offers a great range of benefits, including dining facilities, aerobics studios, laundry rooms, massage rooms, haircuts, car wash service and more. He firmly believes that “appreciation is the best motivation”, by providing a fun and inspiring workspace, team members are able to work in a positive atmosphere.
This means team partners can motivate each other to satisfy their own needs, thus a greater opportunity to offer a higher level of performance (Google, 2011). Schultz is the CEO of Starbucks, an international coffeehouse chain based in Seattle, USA, applies the same principle that employees matter just as much as products do. Michelli (2008) states that Starbucks provides a variety of welfare measures for the Starbucks teams, for instance, accommodation discounts, medical insurance, and vacations.
This shows when the company satisfies team members’ needs, they are encouraged to work towards the same goal and strive for the best for the company. From these two examples, it is clear that therefore motivation can lead team members to provide higher quality of work and increase the profit of the company. Secondly, conflict management is a vital aspect in a high-performance team. Conflict is defined as “the perceived difference between two or more parties resulting in mutual opposition” (Bartol et al, 2008, p. 24). Conflicts are inevitable as different members in teams have different opinions and methods to show their variations (Engleberg, Wynn, 2006, p. 147). Some of the major causes of conflicts are arise from the oppose perspective of members’ desire, goals, values and beliefs (DeJanasz, Dowd, Schneifer, 2001, p. 243). Conflicts and arguments in teams can rise negative feelings among members such as ‘lost sight of team goal’, these feelings may lead to failure in achieving effective outcomes (Engleberg, Wynn, 2006, p. 48). Therefore, it is important for team members to recognize the effective strategies in dealing with conflicts in order to minimize fighting and hostility. With proper conflict management, workers are able to work productively as a team where differentiality are accepted (Boone, Kurtz, 2010, p. 2). This shows development of conflict management techniques is essential in contemporary business.?? In any team-based workplace, correct conflict management can enhance the success of organizations can achieve.
The CEO of a Houston-based Birkman International Company, Richard Goldman introduced a policy where his team of employees need to attend compulsive communication classes every week in attempt to reduce conflicts arise from misunderstanding when they communicate (Tallia et al, 2006). Goldman considers that overcoming communication barriers can provide outstanding insights with team members’ thoughts and act (Tallia et al, 2006). This suggests that team members are allowed to work more practically together when conflicts are handled and solved with efficient management skills.
Another example is McDonald’s, the world’s largest chain of fast food restaurant located internationally. The CEO James A. Skinner believes that by offering training programs, such as McDonald’s Management Development Program, managers can build a fully understanding of the company’s policy and the basic skills of manager when working with other people in the McDonald’s Crew (McDonald’s, 2011). This enables mangers to deliver a better management performance when dealing with conflicts. As a result, staff can create a harmony team environment and maintain effective achievement.
The above two examples indicates that conflict management is crucial in the success of organizations. Lastly, leadership is vital in team-oriented workplaces. Ivancevich & Matteson (2002, p. 45) define team leadership as “the process of influencing others to facilitate the attainment of organizationally relevant goals”. Leadership is important as it has been addressed as essential to achievement in teams(Gill, 2006, p. 1). A team leader with distinct leadership skills are able to help members to further the achievement of success.
Good leadership skills include clear vision, the ability to spot the difference between team members, bring the team together to work towards the same goal and more (Armstrong, 2009, p. 36). All of these bring positive outcomes in teams. As a result, in nowadays organizations, leadership is one of the most vital aspect to be considered. The positive outcomes that team-based organizations achieve are visible. Carol Baines took over the Baines Company after the death of her husband, the previous owner of the company.
She spent her time in the company to familiarize herself with the staff and operations of the company. She then analyzed the company’s situation and set a powerful set of term goals for the company. With her determined vision and remarkable leadership skill, she created a ‘family-like atmosphere’ for team members to work in. Members saw the clear goal of the company, thus significant success was achieved by the company (Northouse, 2010, p. 30). Another good leader is Steve Jobs, the CEO of America-based electronic company, Apple, Inc.. His good leadership skills have effectively bring success to the company.
His quest for perfection has motivated his team to perform their best work quality. These two example makes it clear that leadership makes a huge different in maintaining effective outcomes of organizations. Conclusion To conclude, this essay has examined three aspects of teamwork that are essential when working effectively with other people in business organizations, namely motivation, conflict management and team goals. It has also provided with real life examples that showed how organizations can incorporate numbers of skills and strategies to create the right team environment.
First of all, motivation can create a positive team environment for team members to work effectively together. In addition, proper conflict management can reduce arguments and fights between team members in order to maintain efficient outcomes in organizations. Finally, leadership . Good teamwork certainly is beneficial in the operation of organizations and has become an important aspect to be considered. As s result, organizations should be aware of those aspects and utilize the ability of teams.