Types of teams

Cross-Functional Teams * Workers across functions, or specialties, of the organization make up these types of teams. People with separate areas of expertise work together; they are usually at about the same hierarchical level and can often make decisions without management. Often, these are temporary.

* Leadership Teams
Management takes a strategic role in guiding business decisions. They are made up of leaders from varied departments. The goals of leadership teams are generally aligned with the mission and vision of the company.

* Self-Directed Teams
Also called self-managed teams, these groups operate without managers, and no one is in a position of authority. They are designed to give employees a feeling of empowerment and ownership of the job. These types of teams are newer: they’ve been around in the U.S. for decades and originated in Great Britain and Sweden in the 1950s. Research has shown that employees in self-managed teams have higher job satisfaction, increased self-esteem, and grow more on the job, but these teams aren’t without their drawback.

* Virtual Teams
These are comprised of members who are not located in the same physical place; they may be in different cities, states, or even separate countries. They use technology and specific skills to achieve a common goal. They tend to be more task and project oriented and less about social interaction.

What can teams do for an organisation? * They can generate a wider range of ideas and innovation than individuals; * They are able to motivate themselves; * They can bounce ideas off each team member; * They often take more risks than individuals; * They have a range of personalities such as workers, thinkers, leaders who contribute the right balance of skills necessary to achieve high performance; * They support each other