A manager knows when a team is not functioning properly when there:

• A. There is Failure to Accomplish Goals and Tasks
• B. There is Constant Agreement Among Team Members
• C. Are Well Attended Meetings
• D. Is Effective Communication Among Team Members

Answer: (A)

When a team isn’t functioning properly, the clearest signal is failing to accomplish goals and tasks. If objectives aren’t being met, deadlines slip, and work isn’t completed as planned, it points to underlying inefficiencies in processes, leadership, or accountability that are impairing performance. This outcome-focused measure matters most because it directly affects results and can erode morale and trust.

Other indicators in the list aren’t the same warning sign. Constant agreement can suggest groupthink or a lack of critical input, which is a concern, but it doesn’t by itself prove the team is failing to deliver. Well-attended meetings imply engagement, and effective communication among team members is a sign of healthy collaboration. While those can accompany strong performance, the decisive clue that the team isn’t functioning properly is its inability to meet goals and complete tasks.