Final answer:
The element that does not make teams function is E) Identical skills. Teams are most effective when they have a diverse set of skills that contribute to innovation, better decision-making, and solving complex problems from various viewpoints. The correct option is E.
Step-by-step explanation:
All of these elements make teams function EXCEPT: E) Identical skills. Effective teams require a diverse set of skills where each member contributes unique expertise and perspectives. This diversity in abilities helps address complex issues from multiple angles and fosters innovation. While specific performance goals, mutual accountability, commitment to how the work gets done, and a common commitment and purpose are fundamental factors for team functionality, identical skills can lead to redundancy and lack of creativity within a team.
For example, in a problem-resolution team, a diverse group with distinct skills can approach the problem from different perspectives, whereas a team where all members share the same area of expertise might miss out on alternative solutions.
Similarly, creative teams benefit greatly from having a variety of skills as it augments the team's capacity to innovate. Tactical teams, although they may require a shared set of specialized skills for execution tasks, still need individual team members to fulfill distinct roles within those operations. Therefore, team diversity is beneficial and often necessary for successful team performance.