A strong and effective team are the foundation of a successful Social Enterprise/business. A good team ethic is extremely important for this success and smooth operational running. If the team does not work well together problems can arise, such as poor organisation, conflict within the workplace, missed deadlines and so on.

There are many qualities that a successful and effective team will possess, here are a few:

1. They communicate well with each other – A team needs to communicate openly with each other, sharing ideas, opinions and thoughts as well as taking into consideration what others have to say. Poor communication can cause major problems.
2. They offer each other support – Team members and an effective team will always be happy to assist others when they need a helping hand. Teams are often more productive when they are also offered support from the leaders/boss and have access to resources needed to complete their job effectively.
3. Everyone contributes fairly – It is important for all members of the team to fully understand what their responsibilities are and where they fit with regards to the running of the business. If the feel a sense of belonging within the team they will be more committed to their work and really care about the success of the business.
4. They focus on goals and results – It is important to develop a clear plan based on outcomes and results and not just the amount of work carried out. This provides the team with clear direction and gives them something to aim for.
5. Team members are diverse – This is a topic we will look at more closely in Sub Unit 2.
6. Good leadership – An effective team will usually have a leader. This is important as every team/business/organisation will have a “leader” but one that the team trusts and respects is essential. If you as a leader/owner of a Social Enterprise has the trust and respect of your team you will be the glue that holds the team together, offering encouragement, motivation and whatever is required in order to be successful.
7. They have fun – Work should not be boring. Of course, we all have some jobs and pieces of work which we do not enjoy and have to complete but that is life. When this becomes an everyday occurrence, this is when problems can arise. It can lead to “burnout” for employees and a lack of job satisfaction will lead to ineffectiveness. Building a positive relationship with your colleagues can make for a much more relaxed environment and reduce conflict.