Editing Teamwork (section)

==Effective teamwork characteristics==
A team must have certain interrelated characteristics to work effectively.

Among these is strong [[Group cohesiveness|<em>group cohesion</em>]]. There is a positive relationship between group cohesion and performance.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Evans |first1=Charles R. |last2=Dion |first2=Kenneth L. |date=2012 |title=Group Cohesion and Performance: A Meta-Analysis |url=https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1046496412468074 |journal=Small Group Research |language=en |volume=43 |issue=6 |pages=690–701 |doi=10.1177/1046496412468074 |issn=1046-4964|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

<em>Communication</em> is another vital characteristic for effective teamwork. Members must be able to effectively communicate with each other to overcome obstacles, [[Conflict resolution|resolve conflict]], and avoid confusion. Communication increases cohesion.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |last1=Troth |first1=Ashlea C. |last2=Jordan |first2=Peter J. |last3=Lawrence |first3=Sandra A. |date=2012 |title=Emotional Intelligence, Communication Competence, and Student Perceptions of Team Social Cohesion |url=https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0734282912449447 |journal=Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment |language=en |volume=30 |issue=4 |pages=414–424 |doi=10.1177/0734282912449447 |hdl=10072/48513 |issn=0734-2829|hdl-access=free }}</ref>

Communication helps to clearly define the team's purpose so that there is a <em>common goal</em>. Having a common goal increases cohesion because all members are striving for the same objective and will help each other achieve their goals.<ref name=":1" />

<em>Commitment</em> occurs when members are focused on achieving the team's common goal.

<em>[[Accountability]]</em> is necessary to ensure milestones are reached and that all members are participating. Holding members accountable increases commitment within team relations.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Stewart |first1=Virginia R. |last2=Snyder |first2=Deirdre G. |last3=Kou |first3=Chia-Yu |date=2023 |title=We Hold Ourselves Accountable: A Relational View of Team Accountability |journal=Journal of Business Ethics |language=en |volume=183 |issue=3 |pages=691–712 |doi=10.1007/s10551-021-04969-z |issn=0167-4544 |pmc=8600914 |pmid=34812211 }}</ref>