Creating a Team Culture

Just as an organization culturally transmits its values to its members, so a team creates a culture through which it transmits values to its members. Mower and Wilemon (21) describe team building as a process aimed at developing a team’s task competencies (meeting goals, objectives, and targets) and interpersonal competencies (resolving conflicts, listening, and building trust). An effective team culture teaches members to develop these competencies fully. This team-building process advances through a series of phases to reach a level of high, sustained performance. Table 1 displays qualities teams need to learn in order to become effective and perform at a high, sustained level.

Table 1. Characteristics of Effective and Ineffective Teams

Key Variables	Ineffective Teams	Effective Teams
Goals	Goals unstated or unclear.	Goals are clear and accepted.
Roles	Individual responsibilities are unclear.	Responsibilities are clear and change as needed.
Conflict	Conflict is suppressed, producing destructive attitudes and behaviors.	Conflict is managed openly and accepted as a vital part of team development.
Learning	Team learning is minimal.	Learning is valued and captured.
Leadership	One person is seen as the leader. Other people stuck in roles.	Leadership is seen as a shared responsibility.
Performance	Lack of concern for performance—objectives are not met.	Performance, satisfaction, and growth are valued and achieved.
Communication	Communication is guarded and restricted.	Communication is clear, open, and energetic.
Processes	Team processes emerge that may impede team progress.	Team processes are “invented”—which ensure alignment with team objectives.
People	Team members’ personal and professional needs are igonred.	Individual goals are blended with team objectives.
Power	Many team members feel powerless. Power inequities cause an uneven desire to contribute.	Team members feel powerful—each one’s contribution is valued and sought.
Source: J. Mower and D. Wilemon, “Team Building in a Technical Environment,” in D. Kocaoglu, Editor, Handbook of Technology Management. 1989.