1.01

I need training in order to learn the skills required in my new job.

1.02

We need to know what we want to achieve – what our objectives are.

1.03

Her ideas are new and exciting. She is a very talented designer.

1.04

Her creative genius and his practical business mind is a great combination – they complement each other perfectly.

1.05

Although he is young and new to the business, he has a lot of talent. We must help him develop it.

A

A team is a collection of talented individuals doing what one individual cannot do alone.
This is only partly true. A team usually exists because more than one person is needed to achieve certain results, but it is an incomplete definition.

B

A team is the same as a group.
A team exists to take action and to achieve results. A group does not necessarily have this direction.

C

A team is a collection of individuals whose skills complement each other’s and who work together to achieve common objectives.
Yes. This is the best definition of the 5 options. A team needs people who have different skills from each other. These skills should complement each other so they can be integrated into the work of the team to help it achieve its objectives.

D

A team consists of a group of individuals each with a similar talent working together towards a common goal.
Although the team members may have similar talents, an effective team normally needs people to contribute different skills for different tasks.

E

A team is a group of people which uses its skills to get results to benefit the group.
A team does try to get results, but it may not only be for the benefit of the group. In many cases a team is set up to get results for the whole organisation, not just for the benefit of the group.

2.01

A team needs diversity - a range of different skills within the team group. Different members offer different knowledge, experience and skills.

C

2.02

Commitment to the team’s goals not just personal glory

B

2.03

People with the necessary individual skills

A

2.04

Staff turnover is inevitable – and often desirable. It is important that the team accepts new people and makes it as easy as possible for them to perform to the best of their ability. This way the team benefits

K

2.05

The team needs to know what it is aiming for. Everyone in the team needs to be working towards the same goal.

H

2.06

Confidence comes from making progress and getting results. When a team starts getting good results, it normally goes from strength to strength and achieves even more.

F

2.07

When people are unavailable or they leave the team and a replacement is not readily available, a good team will have the right people able to step in and take over the role of the absent person.

G

2.08

This may come from a dynamic individual with a clear sense of direction or it may come from  a group within the team.

E

2.09

Mistakes will be made. Use what you learn from these mistakes and move on. The experience is valuable.

I

2.10

Research, training, developing, refining – build on your skills to improve your ability to perform.

J

2.11

The team needs to be able to perform consistently well. To do this it needs to be able to replace members without upsetting the overall direction, atmosphere or team spirit.

D

3.01

§  a blend of youth and experience – young players benefit from the experience of the older team members

3.02

§  home grown and imported talent – finding talent from within the organisation and developing it is just as important as recruiting from outside

3.03

§  teams often need a specialist – someone who has expert knowledge or skills that other team members do not have.

3.04

§  All teams need creative minds, people with ideas – often these individuals find routine work boring and are more interested in developing ideas than playing the team game. The team also needs more practical team workers as a balance.

3.05

§  Having the right mix of skills and qualities in the team is not the end of the story – someone has to pull it all together to make it work properly i.e. someone has to play the role of co-ordinator and give the team direction.

T/F

3.06

All teams need effective leadership.

T

3.07

Teams work best if the members have similar characters.

F

3.08

Often the more creative members are less focused on the team than on their own ideas.

T

3.09

It is important To get the balance of individual styles correct.

T

3.10

Younger members of the team are less important than the older, more experienced ones.

F

Situation

Potential problems

Possible solutions

You create a team full of talented individuals each of whom has wonderful creative ideas.

Each individual believes their ideas are the best and will not accept the ideas of others.

Look very carefully at the strengths and weaknesses of candidates before you make them part of the team. If you have too many creative geniuses, you make not actually create anything. Look for team members who will contribute to the team’s goals.

You enthusiastically promote helpful support within the team and do not tolerate conflict among the team members.

Team members avoid normal, healthy confrontation to try not to upset the team’s atmosphere.

Arguments and strong debate are often the result of competitiveness. Good managers will recognize and welcome this competition and will use it to create a productive environment. You can have conflict in the team as long as there is also respect.

You constantly tell your team how well they are doing.

The team thinks they can do no wrong and may become complacent.

Praise is important. The team needs to know it has your support. However, make sure you are able to criticise constructively as well. There is always room for improvement. Set new challenges and targets.

You believe as manager you have to show your team that you can do everything you ask them to do.

Your team members don't have the opportunity to develop their own decision-making and critical-thinking skills.

You need to organize your team in a way that allows different team members to use their skills effectively. You also need to delegate tasks. Do not try to do everything yourself.

Situation

Potential problems

Possible solutions

You are keen for all your team members to attend as many training sessions as possible to learn new skills.

4.09

DANGER OF TRAINING OVERLOAD.

4.10 Identify training needs and schedule according to priority. Consult your staff and involve them in the process of their own professional development.

You believe it is necessary for everyone in the team to express themselves openly and honestly at all times even if it upsets individuals

4.11

Many people will find this uncomfortable. Some people will use it as an opportunity to criticise strongly  and may not be sensitive to other people’s feelings.

4.12

Ensure that clear codes of behaviour are set for all staff. Encourage people to be open and direct with you, but make sure that honest assessments are also sensitive and constructive. Encourage discussion and debate, but with a view to finding solutions.