Teamwork is an important element in successful value-added business ventures.  The relationship among team members and their desire to focus on accomplishing their goal is important for moving a project forward or meeting business milestones.  So sharpening your teamwork skills is important for creating a successful business.

To learn how to design teams, read Designing Successful Business Teams.

For more information on this topic, see the links listed below of articles posted on related Web sites.

Building Teams

• Finding New Members – West Virginia University Extension – Why people join and how to recruit new members.
• Leadership Teams – Education Leadership Toolkit -- A key to successful planning and implementation is the development of teams.
• From Lone Star to Team Player – HBS Working Knowledge -- If you're serious about building a collaborative company and want to reap the economic rewards from doing so, you have to screen out "lone stars."
• Tapping into your Team’s Emotional Intelligence – HBS Working Knowledge -- You're a smart leader. Your team is pretty smart, too. But how is your "emotional intelligence" as a group? Learn how to lead with your emotions, not just your head.
• Bright Ideas: The Creative Power of Groups – HBS Working Knowledge -- This summary of research outlines proven strategies for generating the group dynamics that lie at the heart of innovative thinking.

Successful Teamwork

• A Plan for Small Group Discussion – University of Missouri Extension – This article describes in detail a unique small group discussion model.
• Setting Group Goals – Montana State University Extension -- One measure of group effectiveness is how well a group accomplishes its goals.
• Developing Trust and Cooperation – North Dakota State University Extension – Developing a climate of trust is one of the most important tasks groups must accomplish.
• Effective Problem Solving Techniques for Groups – University of Nevada Extension – Every group has the task of problem solving.
• Building Teamwork and the Importance of Trust in a Business Environment – University of Florida Extension -- Trust is a big issue in today's business world, since evidence suggests that trust between associates (employees) and employers has been waning.
• How Facilitation Can Help Your Group – University of Nevada Extension – Facilitation exists when a neutral third party uses his or her skills to improve the way a group identifies problems, solves problems, and makes decisions.
• The Five Keys to Successful Teams – HBS Working Knowledge -- What can leaders do to foster better teamwork within their organizations?
• Leveraging Your Team's Interpersonal Skills – HBS Working Knowledge – What does it really mean to be good with people?
• Assessing the 17 Indisputable Laws of Teamwork – John Maxwell -- Embrace them and empower your team.
• Fighting the Enemy Within – HBS Working Knowledge -- Recessionary times can be murder on office politics— especially when devious practices and backstabbing are rampant. Resuscitate teamwork and find solutions.
• How Team Leaders Show Support - or Not - HBS Working Knowledge -- What does a team leader do so that employees know they are being supported?