Differences between Group and Team

A "Group" indicates 2 or more individuals combining their talents and efforts to work together to reach a goal. However, I have found that a Group also harbors competition within. There is typically no clearly stated goals. Agents within a Group tend to work independently with one person feeling responsible for the success or failure. When agents work individually, there is no sense of urgency. Ultimately, the Group becomes dysfunctional and greedy.

On the other hand, a TEAM approach is deemed more successful because they share a common goal. Typically, a TEAM has a leader. The leader has the "personality", the drive and the experience. A TEAM creates goals in writing. A TEAM structure has clearly written job descriptions. There is also a healthy sense of urgency and specific accountability. There is NO individualism. Instead of one feeling responsible for the TEAM's success, everyone shares the TEAM's success. Instead of competition within the GROUP, the TEAM takes on outside competition.

Along with creating a TEAM, it is essential that the TEAM create a mission statement. I would also encourage the TEAM to create their vision for the future. A TEAM has to define their team's values and beliefs. This will encourage TEAM producitivity.