Lack of commitment to the team effort reduces overall effectiveness. Finally, the team usually operates within the framework of a higher organization such a league. The overall objective of a work team is to exercise control over organizational change (functionally, this involves increased decision-making and problem-solving efforts), although a side effect may be to increase the productivity of individual members. A primary objective of team building is to increase awareness of group process. In essence, the group members will learn how to control change externally by experimenting internally. The team-building effort will concentrate on barriers to effective functioning and the selection of strategies to overcome these barriers. Organizational failures often are not a result of poor leadership but of poor followership. Few training programs teach how to be an effective member of a democratic group. A team member is one of a group of mutual followers. Observation of individuals functioning within teams leads to the following list of characteristics of an effect team member. Such a person: Understands and is committed to group goals; Is friendly, concerned, and interested in others; Acknowledges and confronts conflict openly; Listens to others with understanding; Includes others in the decision-making process; Recognizes and respects individual differences; Contributes ideas and solutions; Values the ideas and contributions of others; Recognizes and rewards team efforts; and Encourages and appreciates comments about team performance. These characteristics are in sequential pattern, alternating task and relationship behaviors. This pattern of behaviors is the starting point for the development of effective team building. STAGES OF TEAM DEVELOPMENT Team Building is a planned change intervention that focuses on the dynamics of a team's functioning.
