Team management is a series of steps and coordinated activities performed by leaders or managers along with a group of individuals referred as team to perform given tasks in stipulated time period. Team management is an important concept in every field where individuals with different skills work together to achieve a common goal. In business, team management is the collective and orchestrated effort of all employees to achieve
There are some tasks which can’t be done alone. Individuals need to come together, discuss things among themselves and work together towards the realization of a common goal. The individuals forming a team should ideally think more or less on the same lines and should have similar interests and objective. People with absolutely different tastes can’t form a team. Their goals have to be the same. Every team is formed to achieve a predefined goal and it is the responsibility of each and every member to contribute his level best and accomplish the assigned task within the stipulated time frame. The team members must complement each other and come to each other’s help whenever required. Individual performances do not matter much in a team and every individual should strive hard and work in unison.
The team members don’t start performing from the very beginning, they need time. It is not always that all the members would perform equally. Some of them might not get along well with their team mates or have other issues with each other. Individuals sometimes find it difficult to adjust with each other and as a result their performance suffers. Any individual fails to perform; the complete team is at loss. Team management activities ensure that all the team members work together on a common platform for a common goal.
Team management refers to the various activities which bind a team together by bringing the team members closer to achieve the set targets. For the team members, their team must be their priority and everything else should take a back seat. They should be very focused on their goals.
Importance of Team Management
Every organization comprises of many employees who are assigned a particular role in their job. Each individual performs their job and tasks as per the requirement. But the collective effort of everyone is what companies want to achieve their business goals. This is where team management and team work are essential.
Team management is essentially managing a team. Team building exercise, any issues among team members have to be resolved, the best skills have to be used and the business goals have to be met as a part of team management. The concept is closely interwoven with other skills like leadership, time management, decision making, good governance, communication making etc.
Team management is an important skill which is required by any manager. Companies have to identify leaders who can control, direct and maximize the output of their team. Some tips and strategies for effective team management are:
1. Communication
A good stream-lined and honest discussion with team members is essential for effective team management. The team members have to be constantly communicated business ideas and company strategies which the leadership is thinking about so that employees are aware of what the company’s vision is.
2. Motivation
Effective team management requires constant motivation of employees. A strong team requires that all the members are motivated and full of positive energy to complete their tasks.
3. Feedback
Feedback of employees by seniors as well as peers is important for effective team management. Companies evaluate employees using techniques like 360 degree feedback and help employees improve.
4. Transparency
Having a transparent organizational structure is critical for time management. Subordinates and team members should have easy access to top management, discuss new ideas, revolt certain wrong practices, employee voice should be heard etc.
5. Delegation
Effective team management ensures a team leader uses delegation of authority while giving work to members. This helps in employee’s confidence who feel that the manager trusts their work skills and abilities.
6. Flexibility
Team members who have flexibility at work using methods like work life balance help in their business output, which is important for effective team management.
7. Reward ;
Recognizing the efforts of team members through rewards, awards, prizes, promotions etc. are essential for good team management as this helps in employee confidence.
8. Training.
Updating employee skills with regular training and development helps in strong team management. New skills, tools, learning methodologies, training sessions etc. help sharpen employee skills and thereby improve team output.
