Team Development: What, why, and types

Summary: this article covers what team development is, why it is critical for teams, the benefits, and types of team development.

Team development is an important strategy leaders use to obtain high performing team results. Let’s brake down some the basics surrounding team development.

What is team development?

Team development is a process of purposeful activities that promote learning and growth related to working effectively as a team. Team development can focus on a variety of aspects of team success including collaboration, defined purpose, skill-building, trust, accountability, commitment, communication, behavioral norms, culture, and/or values.

Why team development is important

High performing teams rarely gel on their own, in a sustained way. Especially in times of change, conflict, misalignment, and lack of trust are just some of the dynamics that can derail effectiveness. Therefore, it is often essential for leaders and team members to take purposeful steps to learn and grow together, building cohesion.

The more effective the team, the better business results and/or mission achievement. High performing teams require a teamwork focus to continue high achievement. If a team is new, not yet performing, or experiencing dysfunction, it is also important to take the time and initiative to address team development.

Benefits of team development

These are some of the benefits reported by leaders and team members who have invested in team development

• Increased effectiveness, engagement, and satisfaction
• Better business results – efficiency and quality
• Reduced turnover and longer tenure
• Improved communication and feedback
• Easier to recruit new members
• Increased and maintained customer satisfaction
• Collaboration makes problems easier to resolve and improves ability to quickly pivot in times of change

Types of team development

We help leaders define their development goals and then choose the most appropriate method for accomplishing them.  Here are some types of development approaches we recommend that help leaders grow their skills and abilities:

• Team Coaching– This approach most often begins with a team assessment highlighting teamwork strengths and opportunities.  Then, coaching around the team’s opportunity areas occurs through coach-facilitated team dialogue, agreements, and action planning.
• Courses, training, or learning events– Facilitated group learning events that focus on one or more skills or concepts related to team effectiveness like communication styles, collaboration, and giving and receiving feedback.

Let us help you determine which approach might be most beneficial for you, your team, and/or organization.  Contact us.