Final answer:
Self-directed customer teams are autonomous with shared leadership and focus on strong internal cohesiveness, while cross-functional customer teams bring together diverse skills from various departments to achieve specific objectives. Both play a role in organizations' adaptability within flat structures.
Step-by-step explanation:
The key differences between self-directed customer teams and cross-functional customer teams in today's dynamic workplace lie in their structure and objectives. Self-directed teams are autonomous, usually without a formal manager, and are empowered to make decisions about how they operate; they share leadership roles among team members. They thrive on high internal cohesiveness and are usually organized around ongoing activities, embodying a strong sense of connection and team interaction. Cross-functional customer teams, however, are composed of members from various departments or functions and are assembled to achieve specific, often project-based objectives. These teams deeply benefit from their diverse skills and expertise, which they leverage to approach problems or tasks from multiple perspectives. Both types of teams are part of the current trend towards flat organizational structures and are integral in promoting responsiveness and adaptability in organizations.