What is a team? One definition of a team is “A small number of people with complementary skills who are committed to a common goal, objectives of common performance and an approach for which they hold each other to account. responsible"¨ (Moorhead & Griffin, 2001, p.604). Another definition is “A group of two or more entities linked by a common bond to promote the achievement of a common objective” (Chillis, 1999). either definition used, it is understood that commonalities are the driving force of a successful team Once their purpose and objectives are defined and agreed, the team becomes interdependent they coordinate their various skills and abilities to move towards; the desired outcome. Characteristics of a High-Performing Team There are common characteristics that make an effective team successful. These characteristics are developed by individual team members and by the group itself. , the first and probably most important is the understanding of the team's main goal, mission or objective. Each team member must ensure that communication is direct, open and simple. There must be a strong team leader, responsible for strengthening the understanding of team members and ensuring their commitment to their common goal. Without effective team leadership, members often pursue independent and diverse interests (Cooke, 1999). The team must have adequate resources to enable it to carry out its function, including expertise, facilities, equipment and budgets. Additionally, ...... middle of document ......f skills and abilities that form different beliefs and opinions among its members. These diverse viewpoints lead to an increase in creativity. Increased creativity gives the organization the flexibility to adapt to new situations. By understanding its purpose, building trust and working together, a successful team becomes empowered and takes responsibility. They challenge, motivate and encourage each other as they progress toward their goals. Team members with a common goal work harder for the benefit of the team. ¡§When the quality of collaboration improves, the speed and quality of work improves¡¨(Steelcase, ND). An organization that empowers its employees gains a motivated workforce, which can result in greater productivity and therefore greater profitability..