Question

Employee teams are a logical outgrowth of employee involvement and the philosophy of empowerment. One form, the self-directed team, has garnered substantial interest. Describe the nature of a self-directed employee team.

Answer 1

A self-directed employee team is a type of employee team in which the members have the autonomy and authority to make decisions and manage their own work processes. They are empowered to set their own goals, make decisions collectively, and hold each other accountable for their performance. Self-directed teams promote employee involvement, encourage creativity and innovation, and enhance job satisfaction and motivation.

Step-by-step explanation:

A self-directed employee team is a type of employee team in which the members have the autonomy and authority to make decisions and manage their own work processes. Unlike traditional teams where there is a designated leader who provides instructions and assigns tasks, self-directed teams are empowered to set their own goals, make decisions collectively, and hold each other accountable for their performance.

For example, in a software development company, a self-directed team of programmers may have the freedom to choose how to approach a coding project, allocate resources, and set project timelines. They collaborate and communicate effectively to ensure the success of the project.

Self-directed teams promote employee involvement, encourage creativity and innovation, and enhance job satisfaction and motivation. By giving employees more ownership and responsibility, organizations can tap into the diverse skills and expertise of their workforce, leading to improved productivity and outcomes.