The Truth About Managing People, Third Edition

Truth 40. What We Know That Makes Teams Work

Teams have become an essential device for structuring job activities. But how do managers create effective teams?

The key components making up effective teams can be subsumed into four general categories: work design, team composition, resources and other contextual influences, and process variables that reflect the things that go on in the team.

Teams have become an essential device for structuring job activities.

Work Design. Teams work best when employees have freedom and autonomy, the opportunity to utilize different skills and talents, the ability to complete a whole and identifiable task or product, and a task or project that has a substantial impact on others. The evidence indicates that these ...