Running head: Traditional vs. Team Work Environments

Traditional vs. Team Work Environments and the Potential for Self-Managed Teams

Traditional vs Team Environments
This paper will explain the differences between traditional environments and team work environments. According to Exhibit 12.1 in our text book, in the traditional environment the managers determine and plan the work, and in a team environment the managers and team members jointly determine and plan the work. Jobs are narrowly defined and cross-training is viewed as inefficient in a traditional environment. Team environments feel jobs require broad skills and knowledge and cross-training is the norm. Most information is considered “management property” while it is freely shared at all levels in the new team environment. In the traditional environment training for non-managers focuses on technical skills rather than continuous learning that require interpersonal administrative and technical training for all.
In the traditional work environment risk taking is discourage and can result in punishment, but risk taking is encouraged and supported in the new team environment. Traditionally, rewards are based on individual performance but the new team work environment rewards worker based on individual performance and contributions to team performance. Lastly, managers usually determine “best methods” but in the new team work environment everyone works to continuously improve methods and processes. (Bateman. (2013)
How Effective Teams are Built Forming an effective team is more than pulling together a group of people and assigning them a task and expecting to a successful outcome. Each member of the team should bring a talent and skill to the table, which contributes to the overall success of the group. Issues to consider in selecting team members include: the individual's motivation with