Ten Characteristics of Successful Project Teams – Part 6

In Part 5 of this series we examined item eight of ten characteristics of successful project teams: a positive atmosphere.  Here is the full list of the ten main characteristics of successful project teams that we will be examining in this series:

• Clearly defined goals
• Clearly defined roles
• Open and clear communication
• Effective decision making
• Balanced participation
• Valued diversity
• Managed conflict
• Positive atmosphere
• Cooperative relationships
• Participative leadership

For the finale – Part 6 of this series – we will examine items nine and ten in more detail: cooperative relationships and participative leadership.

Cooperative relationships

Directly related to having a positive atmosphere are cooperative relation- ships. Team members know that they need one another’s skills, knowledge, and expertise to produce something together that they could not do as well alone. There is a sense of belonging and a willingness to make things work for the good of the whole team. The atmosphere is informal, comfortable, and relaxed. Team members are allowed to be themselves. They are involved and interested.

Cooperative relationships are the hallmark of top performing teams. These top teams demonstrate not only cooperative relationships between team members, but also cooperative working relationships elsewhere in the organization.

Although it takes more than a list of ideas to build positive, cooperative relationships, there are several actions you can take. Teams can be made aware of the following areas:

• Recognize and value the different strengths that each member brings to the team. Focus on each person and on why he or she is on the team. The team should be certain to utilize each person’s unique strengths.
• Provide a forum in which team members can give and receive constructive feedback. One of the best measures of a positive, cooperative relationship is whether people are honestly providing feedback to one another.
• Conduct self-evaluations as a part of normal business. Individuals can evaluate themselves as well as the team. Remember that it is everyone’s responsibility to encourage growth and learning.
• Build an environment of trust and cooperation. Trust is the linchpin between a positive atmosphere and cooperative relationships. It’s like the chicken and the egg. It’s difficult to tell which came first. The team mem- bers should demonstrate a team spirit that values cooperative relation- ships outside the team as well.
• Celebrate the team’s successes. Most teams are very task-oriented and for- get to celebrate their successes. Don’t forget to reward yourself as a team.  Some ways could include going out to lunch together, having a picnic, or publicly announcing an achievement to the rest of the organization.

Completing assignments brings closure to the task aspect of teamwork.  Celebrating team accomplishments brings closure to the interpersonal aspect of teamwork. To maintain the highest possible performance on a team, all team members should be responsible for relationship building.

Participative Leadership

The participative leadership block is not at the top of the model because it is the most important. It is at the top because it is the only block that can be removed without disturbing the rest. Participative leadership means that leaders share the responsibility and the glory, are supportive and fair, create a climate of trust and openness, and are good coaches and teachers.

In general, it means that leaders are good role models and that the leadership shifts at various times. In the most productive teams, it is difficult to identify a leader during a casual observation.

In conclusion, a high-performing team can accomplish more together than all the individuals can apart.

Information for this series is based in part on Eric Verzuh’s book “The Fast Forward MBA in Project Management.”

Related posts:

1. Ten Characteristics of Successful Project Teams – Part 5
2. Ten Characteristics of Successful Project Teams – Part 4
3. Ten Characteristics of Successful Project Teams – Part 1
4. Ten Characteristics of Successful Project Teams – Part 3
5. Ten Characteristics of Successful Project Teams – Part 2