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# Teams and teamwork

## Basic idea

A *team* is two or more individuals consciously working together toward a common goal — different from a *group*, which merely shares a workspace. Teamwork pools complementary skills and distributes accountability for shared outcomes.

## Key facts

* Individual → group → team progression requires commitment to each other + the goal.
* Benefits: enhanced opportunities, productivity, ownership, creativity, broader perspective.
* Rationale: few people have *all* the skills any non-trivial project needs.

## What is a team ?

* An individual is a person with unique skills.
* A group is a collection of people working together who do not necessarily work collectively toward the same goal.
* A team is two or more individuals consciously working together to achieve a common objective.
* A group becomes a team when members demonstrate a commitment to each other and to the end goal toward which they are working.

## Why teams?

* Very few (if any) individuals have all the knowledge, skills and abilities.
* Complementary teamwork skills are one of the most required skills in the work environment.
* Substantial benefits to the organisation and to the team members.
* Share accountability increases likelihood of success.

## Why teams? Benefits

* Enhanced opportunities.
* Greater productivity.
* Increased ownership and accountability.
* More creativity and innovation.
* Greater joy and satisfaction among team members.
* Broader perspective.
* Increased representation.
* Increased equality.
* More Dialogue.