Overview
As documented in many studies and business journals, effective teams deliver amazing results. In many organizations, this has led to labelling all joint-work effort as “teamwork” in hopes of reaping the rewards of high-performance teams. However, building a well-functioning team requires strong management and leadership skills tailored to the specific work environment. A solid understanding of the differences between teams and other work group arrangements, and of the tools and techniques for building a context to encourage strong teams, is key to realizing their benefits.
This course explores what a team is, how it can be structured, and what should be considered when building a team. You will develop an understanding of the management and leadership skills involved in teamwork, including team communication, cooperation, and collaborative work. The course covers how to handle productivity, commitment, and conflict issues. You will also examine what makes a group a team, why teams are important collaborative work arrangements, and how those charged with leading teams manage team processes.
Outline
This course is divided into four lessons:
- Lesson 1: Understanding Teams
- Lesson 2: Building a Team
- Lesson 3: Managing a Team
- Lesson 4: Leading a Team
Objectives
After completing this course, you will be better equipped to
- distinguish between different types of collaborative work arrangements that are often called teams.
- explain what is involved in creating a functioning team.
- define the terms management and leadership in relation to a team.
- describe how to respond to the needs of a team with regard to its performance.
- assess your skills in management and leadership, and explain how they relate to team performance.
Evaluation
Your grade will be based on the successful completion of one assignment and on your participation in forum discussions.
| Activity | Weight |
| Discussion Forum Participation | 60% |
| Assignment | 40% |
| Total | 100% |
To receive credit for this course, you must receive
- at least 60% on the discussion participation component and
- at least 60% on the assignment.
Materials
Digital course materials
Links to the following course materials will be made available in the course:
Wheelan, S. A., Akerlund, M., & Jacobsson, C. (2021). Creating effective teams: A guide for members and leaders (6th ed.). SAGE Publications.
All other course materials will be accessed online.