A major fundamental component of a successful career is knowing how to work well with a team. Often during job interviews a hiring manager may ask you about your experience working with others on a project and may even ask you to provide a detailed example.

It is not only important to know how to work with a team and its overall functionality, it is also important to know how to express these dynamics to an interviewer.

What are the key elements to make a team successful?

The first thing a team must do is determine and understand the goals of the project. That can be done by meeting with management to go over what is expected by the completion of the project.

Then determine the major task requirements as soon as possible. In many cases, these may not be completely ascertainable in the beginning. This is particularly true when the project is a first of its kind. At the very least, the steps required to complete the project should be outlined and tasks added as appropriate.

Next, assign tasks based on the expertise of the individual team members. In some cases, certain team members may not have a lot of time to devote to the project, so they should be brought in at predetermined points to provide guidance.

Management should select a team leader, but if they don’t, the team should select a coordinator. In larger projects sub-coordinators may be required.

Make sure you understand your role so you can contribute as much as possible. In a leadership position you will have a greater ability to influence the progress and final outcome of the project.

The team members should agree on and set up a time limit to complete the process. Try and segment the required tasks into specific periods. Realize that adjustments in the time periods will occur. Some may take longer and some may take less time.

Make sure management is kept abreast of progress. Their lack of interest could hurt the outcome of the project, its eventual acceptance or its successful implementation. They may be called on to provide additional resources as needed. Your role will influence how much you should be involved communicating with management.

Communication among team members is very important. The team leader should encourage daily interaction. Face-to-face discussions should be held on a routine basis. The use of email can be helpful, but it is not a substitute for conversation and interaction. If members are working in subgroups, at frequent intervals the groups should inform each other of their progress.

Brainstorming by team members also should be encouraged. A smart team leader selects the best ideas, not just their own. Brainstorming should continue periodically throughout the project.

As work progresses, the team manager can see the types of skills and preferences individual members have, and adjustments may be needed to balance the team. For instance, some individuals prefer to work alone, while others like to work with a partner. Allowing these alterations can speed up the timetable or reduce conflict.

If progress begins to stall, new individuals may need to be brought in to add energy. New personality types or additional expertise can make a big difference for complex projects.

Working in a team can prove fun and rewarding. Understanding the process can make a big difference in the day-to-day work experience, the successful outcome of the project and a successful career.

M.B. Owens is a Nashville-based columnist and journalist with a decade of experience writing on employment topics and business. He can be reached at [email protected]