Businesses are increasingly adopting team-based work structures, recognising the value of collaboration in problem-solving and innovation. However, managing teams effectively remains a challenge. Companies such as Atlassian and Google are investing in research to understand what makes a successful team. Google’s Project Aristotle found that psychological safety, dependability, structure and clarity, meaning, and impact are key factors in team success.
Despite such findings, many organisations struggle to implement effective team management strategies. Some fail to define clear roles and responsibilities, leading to confusion and inefficiency. Others have difficulty balancing the need for autonomy with the requirement for oversight and direction.
The rise of remote work has added another layer of complexity. Virtual teams can suffer from lack of face-to-face interaction, leading to communication issues and a lack of trust. To address these challenges, companies are using technology to facilitate collaboration and communication, and are investing in training to develop effective team leaders.
Ultimately, the shift towards team-based work structures is likely to continue, as the benefits of collaboration become increasingly apparent. However, businesses will need to continue to invest in research and training to ensure they can manage teams effectively.
Go to source article: http://www.economist.com/news/business-and-finance/21694962-managing-them-hard-businesses-are-embracing-idea-working-teams?cid1=cust/ednew/n/bl/n/20160317n/owned/n/n/nwl/n/n/n/n