advocacy |
A method of decision making in which various possible solutions are proposed and neutrally debated by the members of a team. Advocacy is not the most productive decision making method because it pits the team against itself. |
autonomous |
Being able to function alone without management intervention. Being autonomous can be good for a team, but can also lead to many problems if not carefully handled. |
collective goal |
A goal that requires more than one person to complete. Making a single product is a collective goal for a team because the team members must work together to reach the goal. |
commander |
The role assumed by a team leader who issues orders to team members instead of working with them. Team leaders should avoid co-opting the role of commander. |
group |
Any number of people put together in a work environment without the benefit of a unifying collective goal. |
guide |
The role assumed by a team leader who works alongside team members to achieve goals. Team leaders should strive to be guides. |
inquiry |
A method of decision making in which a team comes together to propose solutions to a problem. Inquiry is productive because each team member is encouraged to suggest advantages and disadvantages to each proposed solution. |
liaison |
An additional role for a team leader to act as a communicator between the team and other groups. |
mutual accountability |
The element of a good team that requires that all team members are held equally responsible. |
open communication |
The element of a good team in which the free exchange of ideas and objections is encouraged. |
recorder |
A team member whose role is to take notes at meetings and give copies to everyone else on the team. |
reframe |
To change how people view a conflict to allow for different approaches to that conflict. |
specific team purpose |
The element of a good team that requires the team to have a set and detailed goal that the whole team knows and works towards. |
team |
Any group of people that works closely together to accomplish a collective goal. |
team leader |
The person put in charge of guiding the team. |
time keeper |
A team member whose role is to keep meetings on track and on time. |