Question

Prompt #1: Discuss the three essential conditions for successful team performance described by Thompson (6 points). Are there other essential conditions that you think should be included in this list (2 points)? Thompson further discusses social loafing, sucker aversion, and free riding as threats to team performance. These three behaviors are often cited as reasons why people do not like teamwork. What causes social loafing (2 points)? How do you think the best way to combat this problem is in a team setting (2 points)? Discuss your thoughts here in light of your own experiences (3 points).

Answer 1

The three essential conditions for successful team performance are expertise, engagement and execution. The team and its members have to possess relevant expertise which will enable the team as a whole to perform the essential job functions, tasks and activities. The focus in case of expertise is on knowledge, skills and ability that will ensure that essential job functions are completed. Engagement is the second essential condition and this requires members of the team to be engaged and motivated. High levels of engagement and motivation makes the team effective and increases their efficiency levels and their potency levels. The third condition is execution and this is determined by how well a team is able to carry out its task. The team and its members have to ensure that their plan is carried out in a systematic and optimal manner.

Other essential conditions that should be included in this list are communication and delegation. Effective communication ensures that flow of information, knowledge and ideas are being done in a proper manner. Delegation will ensure that tasks are allocated properly and that the team is highly effective in its functioning as a whole system.

Social loafing is caused by the following reasons – lack of motivation, lowered sense of efficacy, sense of inferiority, and meager sense of responsibility and goals that is complex or is too easily achievable. In a group individuals can feel that their efforts are undervalued and hence they find it better to not fulfil their responsibilities. Moreover when team members are not made accountable, on an individual basis, then they will show reluctance to perform their duties.

The best way to combat social loafing is to set clear and achievable objectives. Moreover the teams being formed should not be too large and should be cohesive in nature and functioning. A proper feedback and review system should be put in place within the team and open communication should be initiated. Individual roles and responsibilities should be defined as clearly as possible.

In light of my own experiences I would say that achieving successful team performance is not very difficult, still most companies and managers get it wrong. This is because they tend to overlook the essential factors and conditions and tend to complicate things. Team performance can be elevated and kept high by focusing on the basics and on simple things. Goals and objectives of the team should be clearly spelled out and the role of each member should be made as clear as possible so that there is individual responsibility and accountability.