Questrom Team Learning
Student Resources
Getting Started with Your Team
Product/Project
Successful teams work diligently to produce high-quality project deliverables, consistently and on-time.
The First Steps
Getting started with a new team is an exciting time. Each new team experience opens the opportunity for you to build your collaboration and communication skills, as you work with others to accomplish your team’s goals. It is important for all teams to establish a solid foundation for their work together. That starts by getting to know the different members of the team and discussing the essential skills and experiences each brings to this new team. Before you meet your new team, give some thought to the project at hand and what you can contribute to the team.
Dimensions of Team Success
As teams work interdependently to accomplish their goals, there are 3 critical factors that are essential determinants of team success: Project/Product, Process, and People.
High performance teams not only deliver a top-quality project or product, they also have a strong team process that guides how the work is done and ensures that all team members (people) are engaged and supported.
Additional Readings & Articles
- Hackman, J. Richard. What Makes for a Great Team?, American Psychological Association, June 2004
- Haas, Martine and Mark, and Mark Mortensen. The Secrets of Great Teamwork, Harvard Business Review, 18 Mar. 2019
Effective teams make better decisions, provide better services, and demonstrate increased engagement when compared with individuals working alone.
Not One. But EVERYONE.
You are the KEY
In order for your team to reach high performance, it needs you. You can be an effective team member by actively engaging with your team, being open-minded and curious about your new teammates, and demonstrating the essential qualities of effective team players, outlined below.
Qualities of an Effective Team Player
Reliable
Demonstrates reliability to your teammates.
Good Listener
Listens actively to absorb, understand, and consider ideas.
Active
Functions as an active participant and engage in discussions.
Unselfish
Shares information, knowledge, and experience openly and willingly.
Flexible
Exhibits flexibility in changing conditions.
Communicative
Communicates constructively in a positive, confident, and respectful manner.
Cooperative
Cooperates and pitches in to help and get work done.
Supportive
Treats others in a respectful and supportive manner.
Problem-solving
Works as a problem-solver and thinks critically.
Committed
Shows commitment to the team.
Ready to Advance?
The information you just read is essential to the foundation of teams. Each time you have a new team, take steps to get to know your team members, and consider your own role and potential contributions to the team. Beyond that, however, teams need to agree to a set of guidelines and practices in order to be effective – and that’s why the Team Contract (GRPI), team charter or team agreement is an essential next step.
Click the link below to learn more about developing your Team Contract.
Boston University Questrom School of Business
Rafik B. Hariri Building
595 Commonwealth Avenue
Boston, MA 02215
Rafik B. Hariri Building
595 Commonwealth Avenue
Boston, MA 02215