Table :

TABLE 9.1 SELF-DIRECTED WORK TEAMS: TIPS FOR WORKING COLLABORATIVELY

Action	Considerations
Define a clear purpose for the team	What are the team’s goals—short term and long term?
Foster team spirit	Build a sense of energy, excitement, and commitment in your team by engaging in team-building activities and events, rewarding members who demonstrate commitment, and identifying new challenges for the team to take on.
Train	Working on a self-directed team may be a new experience for some members. See if your organization can provide training to help members understand and implement the defining practices of self-directed teams.
Clarify expectations	Make sure all members of the team understand what’s expected of them in terms of their roles and performance. For example, what functions will each member serve? How, specifically, will the team define “success”?
Set boundaries	Articulate where the team’s responsibilities begin and end. If necessary, remind members that they are working in the service of the organization and that they need to stay focused on their specific purpose.

Sources: Capozzoli (2002); Nelson (2002); Rosenthal (2001).