DEVELOPING CONSULTANCY SKILLS

Developing Consultancy Skills



[Module Name]

[Submission Deadline]

[Word count] Task 1

Define what you understand by the phrase 'developing an effective top team'. What additional challenges face organisational leaders operating in a contemporary global marketplace? What roles might consultants play in helping senior managers to respond to these challenges?

Team work plays a vital role in the effective functioning of every organization. Effective team work tends to yield quality results and also induces feeling of self worth and accomplishment. In order to develop an effective team; managers should play a proactive role in the development of their teams.

Developing an Effective Top Team

Ancona (2000) states that development of effective team requires persistence, planning and effective leadership at every tier of the organization. Managers often need to put in adequate time and efforts to assemble a productive team. In order to guide and assess the performance of the team; effective leadership is required.

Ayman (2003) further accentuates that vision of the leader is essentially important to develop an and sustain an effective team. Ayman (2003) states that having a clear vision implies that the managers and the top executives of the organization are clear in their ideologies, objectives and goals. If the team leader is confident and shows enthusiasm in team tasks; it aids in motivating the team members and to follow the same goals as of their leader.

This implies that clarity in thoughts promotes confidence in the group activities and the leader itself. If a team shares a clear vision and works together in harmony, has consensus on the objectives then the group cohesiveness becomes high and every team member does what is required of them for the fulfilment of the goals. It also induces commitment to the team as a whole.

The personal values of the team members also determine the functioning and effectiveness of a team. Baker (2002) emphasizes that a good leader explores the values held by its team members and tends to seek direction from the goals of the team. All human beings follow a specific set of values, these values are inculcated by our parents and influence our whole lives. A person's natural values include empathy, sensuality, power, commitment, wealth, knowledge and aesthetics. When a leader is able to comprehend their meanings and what it means to each team member; he/she can easily motivate them for the achievement of team goals.

One of the leading causes of group disagreements and poor team performance is the lack of communication among them. Hackman (2007) insists that effective teams communicate with each other and are well aware of what is required of them. Managers should be willing to listen and acknowledge both negative and positive issues in the team. Poor team leaders compromise on the quality of the whole because they do not give importance to the team members' concerns. They should be clear and honest in their communication with the team members.

In the development of an effective top team, a team leader should be well ...