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Effective Team Characteristics

Having Defined Roles is another characteristic that effective teams must possess. Each member of a group should have a good handle on their responsibilities and roles they need to contribute to the team, a team is unsuccessful if they don't understand the specific skills and competencies they need to reach their goal.

Conflict Resolution When conflicts arise, successful teams know how to diffuse tensions, address problems directly and find solutions to problems. Being able to overcome interpersonal challenges is important to the effectiveness of the team's dynamic. While individual remedies vary based on situation and team, teams that can use effective communication to resolve conflict are often stronger.

Collaboration When a team has good collaboration they can be very effective because every team member feels safe and respected when sharing their ideas. Teams that can collaborate well are better equipped to work together, generate new ideas and solve problems. Good teamwork is present in the groups that know how to work well together and brainstorm effectively.

Virtual Teams

Virtual teams require different techniques to improve and maintain levels of teamwork. Groups meeting virtually must establish and monitor trust. Methods of improving trust include establishing policies of responsiveness. Responsiveness garners psychological safety between team members, allowing for greater communication and understanding. Often, managers find it meaningful to develop a check-in system that stays fresh and engaged.

Facilitating connections is vital to virtual teams, as conditions do not typically allow for relationships to foster. Establishing easy methods for coworkers to discuss and relate to one another outside of a direct work atmosphere boosts coordination and efficiency. Fostering inclusion in a virtual setting requires more input from managers.

Virtual teams require consistent assessment. Because delays in work are more likely to occur in a virtual setting, teams must foster collaborative spirit by providing continuous feedback and ensuring members are felt and heard. Actions that typically reinforce collaboration are follow-ups, peer evaluations, meaningful and timely feedback, and a focus on results rather than hours worked.

S.M.A.R.T. Goals

Smart Goals when working in teams is a key aspect that should be utilize more often than not. This means Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Reasonable, and Timely. The importance of setting goals like these is so that everyone in the group understands and “is on the same page” for what the outcome should look like. Constantly reminding them of this goal when in a group setting will help increase motivation among individuals and create a better understanding for the purpose of the project. Also with professors having strategies in the format it betters their students' way of learning because it makes the outcome clearer or gives a better understanding as to what steps they should be taking. Assigning roles and tasks beforehand to each individual in the group will avoid conflict as to who and what should be accomplished. It’s important to have communication at all times so they have a full understanding of their responsibilities. Another thing about this that is very important is to be on time and assign dates as to what should be completed within that period. Equally distributing the work amongst all is key so that no one feels overwhelmed.