Teams are imperative to human survival. It’s probably the reason we’ve gotten this far as a race right? Teams come into play in almost every aspect of life. Katzenbach and Smith make a strong distinction between “groups” and “teams.” I think the authors’ description of what constitutes a team rings true in so many aspects of life. A team must be mutually accountable for each other, not just each individual for themselves. Moreover, a team’s performance relies on individual productivity as well as “collective work products.” There is no job in the world where one is in complete isolation, left without any form of human communication and collaboration. In school, students (particularly in Sauder) must work together to complete tasks, study for exams, and reach academic milestones.
But I think the authors’ definition of a team extends to other parts of life that may not be so obvious. Even a family is a team by Katzenbach and Smith’s logic. A family is a group of people with complementary skills whose objective is to live together effectively, and they are just as accountable for each other as they are for themselves. You and your closest friends can be categorized as a “team.” You are accountable for your friends as much as they are accountable for you. Moreover, you and your friends probably have the common goal of enjoying each others’ company and having a good time together.
I think one of the great things about UBC’s business school is the significant focus on teams and collaboration, especially in the latter half of the BCom program. It’s a very necessary and beneficial preparation for the “real world.” As we all graduate and dissipate into our individual paths within society, teams will be prevalent whether at work, school, or home.