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Identification and Creation of High-Performing Self-Directed Teams

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Abstract
Self-directed teams are groups of individuals who work together without typical managerial supervision. These types of teams are an asset to companies because they by nature do not rely on direct administration to accomplish tasks. For an organization to establish self-directed teams, they need to understand the difficulties in in creating self-directed teams, be able to identify the characteristics of these teams, encourage the success of self-directed groups, and have a plan to assist struggling teams and managers. Self-directed teams are a way to maximize the human resources of a company by reducing the workload of managers and by increasing the personal responsibility and accountability of employees.

Self-directed teams are autonomous work groups that solve problems, implement solutions, and take full responsibility for outcomes (BOMI). Establishing this type of work team is crucial to the success of an organization. These teams function without direct supervision, thus leaving managers free to focus on other tasks. Sometimes managers struggle with implementing these teams. A few difficulties a manager may encounter when working to create self-directed teams are a lack of trust among team members, uncooperative members, lack of team training, vague goals, an absence of corporate support for teams, or hostile corporate atmosphere (individually competitive or manager-controlled). The corporate atmosphere is the first thing that must be addressed. If the company wants to create self-directed teams, upper level management must be supportive of the efforts. They need to encourage group efforts and not focus so much on individual merit when allotting raises or promotions. Managers need training in developing and trusting teams that can function without their direct supervision. The problems that arise among the members of the team can often be corrected through team training that teaches the Tuckman Model (team formation) and Lencioni’s model of team dysfunctions (Lencioni, 2002). Unclear goals lead to confusion in assigning tasks and developing solutions. Having a clear vision and goal will lead to better teamwork.

High-performing, self-directed teams can be identified by some key characteristics: commitment, specific goals, accountability, communication, and a shared approach to tasks. These teams are committed to achieving their goals and to their teams. Success and failure is shared by everyone. These team members are accountable to each other. The members can rely on one another to accomplish individual tasks so that the end product is a cohesive collaboration of their efforts. They have built a level of trust with each other and can rely on one another.

Communication is open and expected. Information is freely shared with other members of the team. These teams are self-directed and able to assign tasks to different members based on knowledge and expertise. They need very little managerial oversight in the day-to-day activities of the group. The over-arching view of this group is that they work as a team.

Developing self-directed teams can be a difficult process, especially if they are a new component to the workplace. One of the first steps in creating teams is to educate managers and employees. The company should organize several seminars and training sessions dedicated to defining what teams are, how they are created, what they do, and how to handle difficulties that arise in team development. Once the concept of teams has been learned and teams are formed, the team members and managers will need ongoing education in establishing goals, managing meetings, meeting customer requirements, conflict resolution, team performance, and member roles (COD). One of the most important aspects of team education is conflict resolution. Conflict can be expected when working in groups because of the diversity of opinions and thought processes. If managed properly, conflict can lead to more innovative solutions. This can only happen when there is mutual respect and open-mindedness among the team members. Conflict resolution training focuses on respect and negotiation skills. Both of these are essential qualities to managers and team members.

As managers learn to develop high-performing, self-directed teams, they will notice a significant change in their department. Companies that encourage teams experience gains in productivity and quality, greater commitment from employees, better, more innovative solutions to problems, and increased likelihood of implementing decisions (Simkovits). These advantages are the direct result of placing the responsibility of outcomes into the hands of self-directed teams. When team members are responsible for the outcome of a project and have the trust of management placed on them to accomplish their goal, they feel a personal responsibility to the task. The weight of personal responsibility motivates employees to succeed in a way that they might not if someone else is lining everything out for them. The responsibility of self-directed groups should not be undertaken without adequate training, by both managers and employees.

References
Building and Leading High-Performance Teams. Retrieved 4/26/2015 from http://www.fmlink.com/article.cgi?type=How%20To&pub=BOMI%20International&id= 31175&mode=source
Lencioni, P. (2002). The Five Dysfunctions of a Team. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
DEVELOPING HIGH PERFORMING TEAMS. Retrieved 4/26/2015 from http://www.centerod.com/developing-high-performance-teams/
Simkovits, H. Self-directed or Mis-directed Work Teams? Retrieved 4/26/2015 from http://www.business-wisdom.com/articles/ArtclSelf-Directed.html

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