Types of Employee Teams
Teams are cross-functional, as they consist of specialists from different areas. These professionals work and communicate with each other to achieve specific goals. The described team management suggests that even though each team has one manager, these teams can sometimes be called self-managed or self-directed. Team members themselves are looking for solutions to emerging problems. They are solving the issues by themselves, which can take many years. Managers serve as assistants and callers to the boss team in such teams. Sometimes their roles are fixed so that managerial responsibilities and powers can easily be transferred from one person to another. It efficiently facilitates the team’s work, and production does not stop under any circumstances since the manager is a replaceable person. Cross-functional teams have their unique requirements, and the specifics of the work must consider the fact that specialists within the group have received further education and experience.
Motivation from the Manager
As a manager, I would commend my employees for their attempts to solve the issue. I would perhaps encourage even the most ridiculous assumptions about achieving the desired goal since no one ever knows where the truth is. Sometimes innovative solutions are hidden behind unexpected situations, and colleagues can ridicule those who offer a novelty. The constant activity of the mind would be encouraged me, and I would try to make some new ways of generating ideas. I would also pay attention to young specialists and support their initiative. Young minds can often bring new ideas to a team or workflow from other companies. The promotion of such specialists will make the atmosphere in the group friendly. I would give a lot of attention to creating a comfortable environment for employees. Hiring coaches is ordinary these days, and I would try to introduce the whole team or some of its members to coaches if I saw the need.
The Role of a Team Leader
The leader must have good organizational skills because employees who have received education and experience in different areas will not have comprehensive knowledge. The manager must see the goals and situation in the workplace in a generalized way. Often, employees must formulate a precise plan or break down one global goal into objectives for employees in each area. Establishing communications between departments is also the task of a manager working with a cross-functional team. The leader needs to remember that they work with people of different skills; their views may differ and affect the workflow. Finding the working area for each specialist is an essential skill. Often a leader needs to build a workflow so that professionals with different work rhythms can be helpful and not feel uncomfortable among colleagues. The leader must combine the skills of the team members, and the team will work as a well-coordinated mechanism.
Characteristics of Effective Teams
The basic need of the team is the unity of purpose and the importance of goals for all participants. Managers can help their mentees formulate individual plans and remind them of one common goal. The correct formulation of goals is of great importance since the team can and should move towards a common goal, achieving small results along the way. Even though air travel and aircraft production, such as Boeing, is a very responsible and severe area, the collegiate atmosphere must remain friendly. Group members should trust the team, and conflicts should be resolved with the help of coaches or at least with a manager’s participation. In such an atmosphere, employees can easily demonstrate engagement and interest. The most crucial characteristic that such a group needs is the presence of a shift leader. It should not change too often, but there must be a frequency when one manager gives way to another manager and moves to another department or position.