Work teams: groups vs teams, effective teams and global teams sheetEssay frameCompare groups and teams, and explain the challenges of managing global teams.
How to lay out the answer. Follow the frame, then write it in your own words.
- 1 · Define both. A group: interacting people who share information. A team: members who work intensely on a common goal with positive synergy.
- 2 · Compare in a table. [Table: leadership, accountability, purpose, work products, synergy, skills: group vs team]
- 3 · Types of teams.
- Problem-solving
- Self-managed
- Cross-functional
- Virtual
- 4 · Effective teams. Clear goals, relevant skills, trust, commitment, communication, negotiation, leadership and support.
- 5 · Global team challenges.
- Cultural differences in status and conformity
- Language and communication
- Time zones
- Building trust
- More conflict
- 6 · How to manage them. Cultural intelligence, clear goals, shared tools, regular video meetings and fair team rewards.
- 7 · In Sri Lankan business. Colombo software teams working online with overseas clients.
- 8 · Close. Teams outperform groups when the task needs combined skills and the team is well managed.
Scoring tip: The comparison table is the core of the first half. Keep each cell to a few words.
