B. For the Team in General
For the team in general, team leaders should carry out the
activities below.
1) Make the importance of team tasks clear: Ensure that
the team understands what is expected of them, and how
specific tasks are expected to be a joint effort among team
members. Clarity in team objectives and tasks will assist team
members in understanding where each of them fit into the
activities.
2) Ensure the team is tasked with clear goals and
responsibilities for assignments: Further to the above point,
the team should have clear instructions of what is expected,
with a breakdown of objectives that team members can
relegate among themselves, or in some instances, be tasked
individually by the team leader.
3) Provide the team with collaboration norms to assist in
effectively contributing to the team: Routines for having the
team get together for work-related tasks, as well as social and
informal events helps significantly in creating an environment
where all can contribute. The most often told story by
members of the Skills Team during their interviews was the
virtual baby shower held by members of the Skills Team.
Activities such as this, as well as virtual holiday events,
creates norms that entail work, but also norms for social
events, creating stronger ties among members, resulting in
greater comfort in speaking out during work.
4) Take necessary action to ensure team effectiveness: The
team leader should be prepared to adjust team membership or
speak to individuals on the team if they are not carrying their
share of the work. At the same time, the leader should also
recognize exceptional individual effort so that all members
understand that their actions are noticed as contributing to, or
undermining the outcome of the project.