Have you ever wondered why do teams exist?

Let us begin with the definition of the word “Team” as a noun.

“A number of persons forming one of the sides in a game or contest; a number of persons associated in some joint action.” (Dictionary.com)

Teams are present almost everywhere in this world that we are living in. We can see teams being formed in the work place, sports, games, social organizations, government etc.

No team is similar, as every team consists of members with different attributes and personalities. The difference lies in how the members of the team contribute to meet the goals and objectives set, in the most efficient manner. As there is no exact clone to every individual, members of the team have to understand one another’s strengths and weaknesses. By understanding the strengths and weaknesses of our peers, we will be able to make use of their individual skills strategically to work towards the objective. A good team would consist of members with different skillsets, say for example in a soccer team. If the whole team of 11 players is made up of strikers, no one will be on the field to defend the goal post, and neither there will be anyone to create chances for the strikers. This gives us an understanding on the importance of selecting the right people to join the team before anything else, to ensure that every member has a relevant skill that will help in one way or another in reaching for the team goal. Teams need a healthy mix of individuals to get things done, and know who is best suited for the tasks and how to best accomplish them.

With a group of individuals working towards a goal, is there be a need for someone to guide, nurture, and devise strategies for the members? The answer is a definite yes. This is where the role of a leader comes into place. The basic role of the leader will be to communicate and plan work for the members of the team, even before any actions are taken by the rest of the members. The leader will also have to motivate and guide the members, so that the members are passionate towards the work that they are doing, and also to stay on the correct track towards the team goal. There isn’t a single team without a leader, as there will be no co-ordination nor strategies implemented by the team, which will lead to problems, conflict, inefficiency, and in the worst case, not achieving the team’s target.

As a rule of thumb, a team’s setup is of utmost importance, and every member has to work effectively and dynamically in order to win. At Phoenix Contact, we collectively select the action steps our teams take, to unlock our full potential. Team goals have been identified before any member starts doing the work. Conflicts are avoided by development of plans and constant communication within the teams. Our team dynamics enhance productivity and accomplish goals, where everyone in the team talks and listens. Last but not least, we have reliable team leaders to lead the members and head towards our goals.

Let us all strive to work hard, and play hard, as both an individual and as well as a team. In the case of Phoenix Contact, to win as a team would be to win our customers’ trust.