The “disciplined team” is a model for high performance, based on “a set of values that encourage listening and responding constructively to views expressed by others, giving others the benefit of the doubt, providing support, and recognizing the interests and achievements of others” This quote is from an article by Jon Katzenbach and Douglas Smith, referenced below, first published in 1993. Katzenbach & Smith put forth the model of the disciplined team.
What is a team?
- A small number of people — ideally between 2 and 25, definitely not more than 50
- Team members have complementary skills
- Teams are performance-oriented
- The team’s product is collective — there is a product that is truly a team result or output, not a collection of individual products
What are the disciplines of teams?
- Mutual accountability based on trust
- Common commitment to achieving a purpose
- A goal different from both the organization’s overall mission and from individual team members’ own personal job expectations
- Members chosen because of complementary skill sets
- Clear rules of behavior
What are the results of a disciplined team?
- Effectiveness and high performance!
Can a virtual team be a disciplined team?
- Yes. In fact, without the face-to-face opportunity for building relationships, discipline can be seen as a key component to an effective, high performance virtual team. By practicing team disciplines, the challenges of virutal teamwork can be successfully overcome.
