Question One "High-functioning teams are what make high-performing companies click. Whether the task is to create an innovative service or implement a new system, groups rather than individuals are shouldering more of the burden than ever before. The ideal team merges individual talents and skills into one super-performing whole with capabilities that surpass those of even its most talented member. Yet, in reality, many teams fail to get close to that utopian ideal. Members do not work together as seamlessly as they could. People disengage, information goes unshared, wires get crossed, and time and money are wasted. What distinguishes top teams from the rest? High-performing teams aren't the result of happy accident, research shows. They achieve superior levels of participation, cooperation, and collaboration because their members trust one another, share a strong sense of group identity, and have confidence in their effectiveness as a team. In other words, such teams possess high levels of group emotional intelligence (EI)." Ross, J. (2008) What makes a good team great? Harvard Business Review Blog http://blogs.hbr.org/2008/02/make-your-good-team-great-1/ published 28th February 2008 Required: a) The quote from Ross (2008) explains the difficulties of making a good team. You are required to explain the difference between a team and a group. (Word limit: 50 words; 5 marks) b) Discuss the problems organisations can have when they structure their organisations using teams. How should they manage these teams to try and avoid these problems? (Word limit: 200 words; 11 marks) c) Within organisations, occasionally groups emerge into teams organically. You should identify and discuss 9 factors that can result in a group becoming a team. (Word limit: 70 words; 9 marks)