Each team member possesses different skills and talents, which need to be utilized efficiently and effectively as a group. A team requires three types of skills, technical expertise, problem-solving and decision-making, as well as interpersonal skills. No team can achieve its performance potential without developing all three types of skills. The right mixture is crucial. Too much of one at the expense of the others will result in lowering the team performance. Each team member will have his or her objectives for personal growth and development, often taking responsibility to learn the skills in which he or she is deficient, enhancing the team potential (253).
Team conflicts should be anticipated because "discussing the potential for conflict before it erupts is a lot more effective than trying to deal with it after the fact" (221). Furthermore, team conflicts should be directed in a controlled setting because "it is much easier to capitalize on constructive conflict by creating a time and place for it to occur, rather than expecting it to naturally erupt" (221).
A successful team needs a purpose or a goal to achieve because a team without objectives is comparable to a flock of chickens without their heads. Although team members share a common vision, individuals have their own motives to further their own interests. A team dilemma is when one faces the decision of choosing between team interests and individual interests. If one is prone to focus more on his or her individual interests, then the individual faces accusation of "free riding" at the expense of the team. To avoid this type of conflict, the team can designate assignments to each member.