how effective is your team?
As part of her Master’s Degree in Sociology, Wambui Gititu examined the team effectiveness of three of EngageHIV’s partners in Port Elizabeth: Masizakhe Community Project, St Paul's Outreach and Lithemba Support Group. All are small community-based organisations (CBOs) that have grown and developed significantly over the last 3-5 years and are facing some of the challenges that come with growth. The ability to work as a growing team is just one of them.
Through individual interviews, document reviews and focus group discussions, Wambui assessed the management committees of each group according to various recognised indicators of team effectiveness. These included norms, role definition and processes (such as communication, leadership styles and conflict management).
Recommendations that Wambui made to the groups included:
1. The need to formalise structures and processes such as those relating to norms, role definition and organisational procedures.
2. The need to develop leadership skills amongst members of the management team to ensure there is no leadership vacuum which affects the sustainability of the organisation.