Maximization Of Work Team Effectiveness Joseph was appointed captain of his office cricket team. In his first week as captain of the cricket team, Joseph noted that the team was not up to corporate standards. It has been a while since they played

Question

together as a team, and the team lacked match practice. There was also a lot of fighting within the team. Andrew and Jack, the opening batsmen for the team, do not get along well with each other. This tension between the opening pair caused a lot of friction in the team. The team's morale was down and lacked motivation for the upcoming corporate tournament. However, Joseph knows what the team is capable of winning if they play together as a team. What should Joseph do to maximize the team's effectiveness?

Answer 1

Grouping players into a team structure does not mean that they will automatically function as a team. The players must go through a developmental process to begin to function effectively as a team. Joseph should ensure that the players are provided proper training in areas such as problem solving, goal setting, and conflict resolution. The team must be encouraged to establish the "three Rs"—roles, rules, and relationships.
Joseph should give and take constructive criticism, actively listen, clearly impart his views to others, and provide meaningful feedback to his teammates. He should breakdown emotional barriers, such as insecurity or condescension. He should promote team functioning by removing process barriers, such as rigid policies and procedure. The team should be given the liberty to make its own choices during and after a match. Joseph should understand the feelings and needs of his teammates so that they feel comfortable stating their opinions and discussing the strengths and weaknesses of the team. Joseph could also try the practice of dynamic leadership, in which the role of the leader can alternate among members and more than one leadership style can be active at any given time.