One of the most powerful concepts being utilized in business today is “The Team”. Unfortunately, many companies in Jamaica have settled for removing the word “department” and replacing it with “team”. Much more is required if we are to gain the benefits of teams.

Teams result in better problem solving, greater productivity and more efficient use of resources. For example, a multi-skilled team at General Motors cut warranty costs on rear-wheel-drive suspension systems by 400% in two years. In Jamaica, Apparel Handlers got garment sector workers to exceed world standards using team sewing.

The Power of Teams

For the sake of the team, people usually want to do more than cooperate with one another, they will collaborate. They willingly invest themselves in the team effort. People who have learned to support and trust one another, share what they know freely. They pass on the information that members need to operate more effectively. The result is that information flows freely up and down and sideways. Whenever one member of a team lacks certain knowledge or competence, another is there to fill the gap.

This synergy generates and evaluates more options than one person can develop.  Decisions are by consensus and are usually better than what even the brightest person in the work group could come up with alone. People who are responsible for decisions and solutions own them. The result is that team members feel a strong commitment not to let it down the team. They want to make the team look as good as possible. They ensure that each member gets what s/he needs to turn out the best possible work.

Building a Team          

Teams develop in a business environment for several reasons.  Teams are developed, rather than chosen, in order to accomplish a business goal.  It is usually the team leader’s job to focus the team and to develop the characteristics of its members. For a team to be effective, certain functions must be completed. Teambuilding is therefore about the development of individuals and the matching of personalities to functions.

It is important to determine the ‘functions’ that the team requires and to identify which individual(s) can fulfill each of these functions.  This process can be done scientifically and The Team Profile is an instrument designed to give team leaders/members information on their roles and strengths and weaknesses.

The 10 Team Roles

The VISIONARY:  S/he is able to see beyond the team’s own immediate requirements and “reach for the stars”. This person has the overall vision of the team’s mission as well as where that mission fits into the wider organizational objectives.

The PRAGMATIST: The Pragmatist complements the Visionary by defining the mission in practical terms. S/he is usually the one reminding the team about the budget constraints and other such practicalities. Even though they are often seen as skeptics, these persons can also show the team how to make the impossible, possible.

The EXPLORER: The Explorer’s role is to seek information, materials and support from outside the team environment. S/he will build relationships with other teams and/or the wider business environment and will be the team’s ambassador.

The CHALLENGER: There will always be someone who challenges the accepted position. This may involve challenging the mission itself, asking team members to remind themselves of what the mission of the team is and whether it is still relevant. The role is a positive one as the Challenger helps to ensure that the team mission is being fulfilled.

The REFEREE: Often independent from the company culture, Referees may be outsiders, usually consultants, brought in to energize the team especially when they have lost sight of the mission. This person takes as near an independent view of the team’s progress and decisions as is possible.

PEACEMAKER: The Peacemaker is the one who will ensure that there is fair play and that conflicts are resolved. This person also predicts areas of conflict and heads them off before they arise.

BEAVER: This person does a lot of the ground work for the team. The role is defined by the level of physical and mental effort required and exerted.

COACH: The role of the Coach is to boost morale especially during the times that the team loses its direction or focus. S/he offers praise or encouragement and reminds persons of their own roles and the overall game plan.

LIBRARIAN: Responsible for recording all information regarding the team’s activities, the Librarian is involved with recording deliberations, decisions, actions and evaluations so that there is always historical data that can be accessed as needed.

CONFESSOR: Confessors act as a sounding board for the fears and aspirations of the team members who have no other confidant to turn to. Practical teambuilding has shown that this is a much-valued role and there is a tendency for it to be performed by the team leader.

Regrettably, many organizations and persons do not realize that all these roles and functions are necessary for the effective functioning of teams. It is quite common for a person who plays a specific necessary role like Challenger or Pragmatist to be accused of “not being a team player”. They often bow to the pressure and submit to the devastating effects of “group think”. When all factions prematurely agree, this results in less than optimal decisions.

Do you know what role or roles you play on a team? Is your team effective or is it dysfunctional? Remember, no one is smarter than a team. Even Jesus, who as the Son of God and had all the powers, set the example by selecting a team that was diverse and effective.

Dr. Semaj is a frequent facilitator for Strategic Planning Retreats, Cultural alignment and Organizational Restructuring. He conducts Staff Selection and Development Programmes for different business sectors across the Caribbean.