What Makes a Team?

Daniel Levi defined a team as a special type of group in which people work interdependently to accomplish a goal. A team is a special type of group. A group has goals, interdependent relationships, interactions, structured relations, and mutual influence.

The best example demonstrating a team relationship was The Wisdom of Wolves. It really drove home the concept of a team. A lot can be learned by observing wolves. Their group norms include loyalty and communication. One of the quotes from the video that stood out the most to me was "Wolves do not aimlessly choose or harass their prey. They are content to be keen observers analyzing the physical and mental state of each member of the caribou herd."

So what?

The best team members are very observant of others behaviors and emotions. The first few weeks are the most important for reading other group members' personalities and expectations. For the greatest chance of success, each group member needs to know the best way to communicate and work with each member of the group. This is related to the wolf choosing the best caribou to go after in a group that has the greatest chance of success. This strategy is also related to a long-term goal over a short-term success. If the wolf chooses to randomly attack a caribou, a member of the pack has a chance of being killed by a caribou hoof. The wolf would rather accomplish the long-term goal of keeping the pack together than the short-term success of killing a caribou.

Now what?

In the beginning stage of our team service project, it is essential that we set specific goals and get to know each member of the team. We are most likely to have success if we are all working together interdependently toward a set common goal.