Team dynamics refers to the patterns of interactions that emerge as groups develop. These interactions are also called group process and group dynamics. It’s not about the work done, but rather about how effective the human relations are, because they affect performance.

To be effective, teams must agree on clear objectives and be committed to achieving them, and networks of teams share goals. The leader should allow the group to have input in setting objectives, based on its capability to participate. What is the ideal team size? The number varies, depending on the team’s purpose.

If the group is too small, it tends to be too cautious and there may not be enough members to share the work. Smaller groups allow more participation and often better performance, and 5 to 9 members is commonly recommended. Groups of 20 or more tend to be too large to reach consensus on decisions, and they tend to form subgroups. But larger groups tend to generate more alternatives and higher-quality ideas because they benefit from diverse participation.

Usually leaders have no say in the size of their functional groups. However, the appropriate leadership style may vary with team size. Leaders who chair a committee may be able to select the team size. In doing so, be sure to get the right people on the committee, while trying to keep the group size appropriate for the task.