Questions and the Team

Tackling a team project, regardless of scale, can be a challenge. Wide-open communication channels need to be activated from the beginning. After planning has begun and tasks are being assigned, the question can promptly loom in one’s head: now what do we do? Well, if the right instructions or guidance were not given, this can be the scenario at hand. However, establishing a good forum to address any doubts and concerns within the team can lead to a better project experience overall.

But what are the right types of questions to ask during a team project? Before even contemplating the type of questions, one needs to realize that any, or at least most questions relating to the project at hand can help the leader get acquainted with the individual learning and working styles of each member. Gaining individual understanding will obviously further enhance knowledge of the group dynamics, which, in turn can aid a team with the responsibility to support the organization. In essence, it can be a leadership development tool. As explained in “Leadership & Direction”, the base of any project should begin with the contemplation of the two main themes. That is, the focus should be on what the team needs to accomplish the project and what potential obstacles can hinder the team’s accomplishment. He further emphasizes, that the answering of these initial questions will mark a good start to a project, while remaining open to team suggestions (Clark, 2010).

An environment that accepts questions and the ability to clarify doubts can lead to a more collaborative work group. An ambiance where the feeling of asking questions is not looked down upon is key. This will enable members to speak their mind. This is outlined by (Clark, 2010) in the arti...

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... among themselves. Ultimately however, regardless of the team’s proficiency a leader’s main focus should be on the supervision and ensuring that the quality of the team’s work meets the set expectations.

Works Cited

Clark, D. (2010). Brainstorming. Retrieved from BigDog & Little Dog's Performance Juxtaposition: http://www.nwlink.com/~donclark/perform/brainstorm.html

Clark, D. (2010). Leadership and direction. Retrieved from BigDog & Little Dog's Performance Juxtaposition: http://www.nwlink.com/~donclark/leader/leaddir.html

Khan, A. (2006). Project scope management. Cost Engineering, 48(6), 12-16. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

United States Army. (1994) FM 6-71 Tactics, techniques and procedures for fire support for the fire support commander, Washington, DC. Retrieved from http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/6-71/index.html, appendix G