Effective Team Guidelines
1. Be focused. Establish clear, operational, relevant group goals that create positive interdependence and evoke a high level of commitment from every member. Focus on both process and content.
In order for everyone to engage in a high level of commitment from each other, we first had to commit to the group. I believe that this portion was helped along by one of our discussions where we wrote about groups from our viewpoint. We each read what the other person wrote about their experience in their group. We were ready for the storming stage. While writing emails back and forth and discussing different topics, it was evident that we have some strong team members. We established early on in our emails that we were looking to be successful with our team. The goal was success. The process to get us there is ever evolving. The method of doing the work required of the group was to be done independently then reviewed by everyone in the group to get their approval or suggested changes. If we were unsure about a project, we would discuss that in a group email. Without looking ahead at the lessons, we believed that this method would work for most projects. Along the way, we have discussed the option of dividing the work amongst the group, finishing our sections early then assembling them together to review. The review step is very important that everyone agrees on the content. In order to do all of this, we needed to set the roles. Each one of us agreed to our role of gatekeeper, praiser, task master, checker and recorder. We believed with each one of us owning a role, we would be able to have a successful team and accomplish our goal of success. Each member is held accountable for their role.
2. Establish effective two-way communication within which group members communicate their ideas and feelings accurately and clearly. Ensure communication is open and positive.
While we were in the forming stage, we introduced ourselves through the discussion board. Also, a group email was sent to everyone. The group took advantage of both of these two opportunities by establishing our contact information, best methods of contacting each other and how we wanted to deal with a group member that was not performing to the needs of the group. The way it was stated on the discussion board was how we wanted the group to let us know that we were not performing adequately. This took any pressure off of the group members because we know that it will be on our terms for notifying each other rather than someone else's. The group determined that email and Google Docs was the best method for communicating and collaboration. From this point, it appeared we were on our way to becoming an effective team and on our way to the storming stage.
3. Ensure that leadership and participation are distributed among all group members.
Throughout the first couple of weeks, as a group, we have been learning each other's schedules and how to communicate effectively. To assure leadership and participation are being distributed properly our members have first reviewed their roles in the group process. Our use of email has been widely effective as we are able to send documents throughout. The use of email has also allowed us to remind each other when something is due or where we will be collaborating our work for the week. Finally it is crucial that our members ask for advice while completing an assignment so that we are all in agreement for the work that has been completed.
4. Ensure that the use of power is distributed among group members, and that patterns of influence vary according to the needs of the group as members strive to achieve their mutual goals.
All members would agree that an online group setting can create issues when trying to work "together." However, we are given a week to look over and complete our assignments for the week as a team. To guarantee fellow group members are receiving equal use of power we find it important to check-in on each other throughout the week to keep everyone on schedule. One thing we have started to do is create a deadline for ourselves before the official deadline. This allows our group to look over and find any mistakes in the work completed. Lastly, after finishing the individual work it is important that we offer to help others if needed.
5. Match the method of decision making with the availability of time and resources, size and seriousness of the decision, and amount of member commitment needed to implement the decision.
6. Encourage structured controversies in which members advocate their views, disagree, and challenge each other's conclusions and reasoning in order to create high-quality, creative decisions.
7. Ensure that members face their conflicts of interests and use integrative negotiations and mediation to resolve them constructively.