Leadership in teams: Managing Project Teams

A high-performing team is self-sustaining at all times. As chairwoman of XYZ Corporation, I will assist the firm in achieving a high-performing project team in the following ways. Initially, team leaders should convene team meetings to discuss the organization’s goals. According to Wong (2007), the leader’s vision should include the team having the same aim and purpose. During meetings, information and new ideas that will motivate the team will be exchanged. Second, as the team leader, I will identify roles and responsibilities. The organization’s teams should all be moving in the same direction. It is ideal if team members understand their roles in improving the project management functions (Wong, 2007). Third, I will maintain effective communication at all level. Citing Morgeson, DeRue and Karam (2010), one way to build a high-performing team is to maintain effective, constant and purposeful communication. Communication helps to share information, solve problems and set goals. Since teams understand that communication is essential, they will have to approach it with a determined intention.

Fourth, I will have to use high-performing process in decision-making. The decision-making will entail empowering the teams to do what is necessary. The teams should have freedom in making decisions within the boundaries of their roles (Wong, 2007). Fifth, I will measure the performance of the teams to determine their progress. Managing and measuring performance has a significant impact on shaping the team. The team leader should use merits to differentiate high and low performance (Morgeson, DeRue & Karam, 2010). The organization should use technologically driven models to review the performance of the team and involve them in the process. Sixth, I will use the high-performing processes in giving feedback to the team. Positive feedback will always empower and inspire the teams to continue working hard (Morgeson, DeRue & Karam, 2010). Receiving positive feedback will energize the team, and they will have the opportunity to sustain outstanding results.

References

Morgeson, F. P., DeRue, D. S., & Karam, E. P. (2010). Leadership in teams: A functional approach to understanding leadership structures and processes. Journal of management, 36(1), 5-39.

Wong, Z. (2007). Human factors in project management: Concepts, tools, and techniques for inspiring teamwork and motivation. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.