Why Teams DON'T Work

Coutu, D. (2009, May). Why Teams DON'T Work. Harvard Business Review, 99-105.

Summary

There is a belief that working in teams is the best way to get work done. The reality is, most people are bad at teamwork. Team members seldom agree on what the team is supposed to be doing. Without a strong leader to set direction, and be disciplined about managing team composition and how the team is set up, teams seldom do a good job.

Experience

Teamwork is how I’ve always been taught to accomplish tasks. This article resonates with me on so many levels and gives good insight into why teams I have been a part of have failed in the past. One thing in particular that is interesting to me is the idea of having a deviant on a team. A person that is the consummate questioner and challenges the team to really think through their current course of action. I have been that person and have dealt with that person on teams, and I agree with the article that every team needs one.

KEYWORDS: Teams, teamwork, deviant, underperform, directions, coaching