Understanding the type of team you are part of can guide your planning and expectations. Teams are integral to organizational structures and continue to adapt alongside businesses and markets. Many of us belong to several teams, often with overlapping priorities.

Here are some common types of teams:

Natural work groups
these consist of individuals who collaborate daily in the same location, utilizing similar tools and processes. While a supervisor typically oversees the group, leadership may be shared among team members.

Business teams
often cross-functional, these teams manage specific product lines or services.

Management teams
this group includes managers and their direct supervisor. Different levels of management teams can exist within an organization, such as executive, middle, and front-line teams.

Self-managed teams
this type of team operates independently, with decisions made collectively rather than by a single leader. Often called self-directed work teams, every member shares authority and responsibility for the group’s decisions.

Product/service design teams
formed for a specific project or task, these teams—previously known as task forces or committees—are typically cross-functional and focus on designing or redesigning products or services.

Virtual and remote teams
members of these teams interact infrequently in person, relying on web portals, email, and phone communication. The challenge for these teams lies in working together towards goals despite limited personal interaction. This type can also fit into any of the categories mentioned above.