A team is fundamentally a group of interdependent individuals who combine their diverse skills and efforts to achieve a common goal, generating synergy where their collective output surpasses individual contributions, as emphasized by Professor Leigh Thompson. While academic research on teams surged in the past 40 years, the concept gained significant business popularity in the late 20th century, leading to varied opinions. Some viewed it as a management panacea, others as an overused fad, or even a potential avenue for worker exploitation through peer pressure.

Despite these debates, effective teams are widely recognized for fostering greater productivity, improved decision-making, and enhanced innovation. Such teams are characterized by strong organizational platforms, frequent communication, and, according to Hackman, contribute positively to the personal well-being and adaptive growth of their members. This mutual commitment and synergy are what truly distinguish a team from a simple collection of people or other group structures like task forces.