Project managers often work under less-than-ideal conditions to develop a cohesive
team committed to working together and completing the project to the best
of their abilities. They have to recruit personnel from other departments and manage
the temporary involvement of team members. They have to bring strangers together
and quickly establish a set of operational procedures that unite their efforts
and contributions. They have to be skilled at managing meetings so that they do
not become a burden but rather a vehicle for progress. Project managers need to
forge a team identity and a shared vision, that command the attention and allegiance
of participants. They need to use group incentives to encourage teamwork
while recognizing when it is appropriate to single out individuals for special recognition.
Project managers have to encourage functional conflict that contributes to
superior solutions while being on guard against dysfunctional conflict that can
break a team apart. In doing these things, they have to be careful not to do too
good a job and avoid the pitfalls of excessive group cohesion.