KATZENBACH AND SMITH THEORY:
( From talking with hundreds of people in more than fifty teams in thirty companies )
DEFINITION OF TEAM:
A team is a small number of people with complementary skills who are committed to a common purpose , set of performance goals and approach for which they hold themselves mutually accountable . 1. Teamwork represents a set of values that encourages listening and responding constructively to view espressed by others, such values help team perform and promote individual performance. 2. Team is more than a group. In groups the focus is on individual goals and responsabilities while in teams people rely more on each other (mutual accountability) . A team performance include individual and collective work products. 3. Team is a small number of people with complementary skills who are commited to a common purpose, set of performance goals and approach.

THE COMMON PURPOSE: 1. The essence of the team is the common commitment, developed by working to shape a meaningfull purpose. 2. The management clarifyies the challenge for the team, but must leave enough flexibility for the team. 3. The best team invests effort in shaping a common purpose who belongs to individual and collectivity, through open-ended discussion and active problem solving meetings.The common purpose is then translated in specific performance goals (e.g reducing poor quality work ) which : motivate and energize, help to define a set of work-products, facilitates communication and constructive conflicts, maintain the focus on getting results, has a leveling ( what and how each individual can best contribute ) , allow to achieve small wins ( useful to building commitment ) .

OTHERS: 1. Size matter: small groups ( less then 10 people ) are more successful . Large numbers have trouble interacting efficiently , have logistical issues and