High performing companies know that effective teams are essential to their success, and they are correct – sometimes. Not every collection of individuals working in close proximity is a team. Sometimes individuals working together is just that – a collection of individual contributors. Forcing them to act as a team can be counter-productive.
Instead, research suggests that true teams are defined by five key elements: 1) have common leadership, 2) share a common set of goals, 3) work reciprocally and interdependently with each other, 4) share in performance consequences, and 5) view themselves as mutually dependent on each other for results.
When these elements exist, implementing our framework assures successful team performance.
