Date post: | 17-Oct-2014 |
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Education |
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By Paromita Saha
The Flow
Teamwork - Definition Why have teams Characteristics
Ways to achieve teamwork
Teamwork skillsAn example
What is Teamwork?
.
When we talk of teamwork we generally mean different things
For some a team is a group of people with a shared purpose.
For others a team must also have a deadline.
For others a team must also embody some degree of co-operative working.
Kinds of tasks
Individual task Group task
Partitioned task Team task
These can be completed by single individuals without help which is called 'Solowork'. Solowork is an important aspect of organisational team behaviour - sometimes it's the best way to get things done.
These tasks require multiple team members to do the same activity concurrently which is called 'Crowdwork'. Crowdwork has a place in organisational teams such as team review meetings, brainstorming and team social gatherings.
This is where a task is split into two or more subtasks that can be organised sequentially which is called 'Groupwork'. It lends itself particularly well to asynchronous communication methods such as email and shared document areas. .
Requires multiple individuals to perform different tasks concurrently. Different individuals must do different things at the same time. There is both division of labour and concurrency. This is real 'Teamwork’ and requires the most complex co-ordination between team players.
Why have teams ?
Society & technology are complex
Require interdisciplinary knowledge
Advantages in diversityOne vision, many hands
Shared responsibility
Timing is essential
Stages of team development
Forming: “Nice to Meet you, not sure
why we’re here, it looks like a lot of
work!” Leader encourages equitable
participation, begin focus on project
Storming: “Do I HAVE to work with this team???”. Leader helps team to focus on strengths, not weaknesses, in working toward the task at hand
Norming: “Maybe we will be able to pull this all
together, if we stop fighting and listen to each
other...” Collective decision to behave professionally,
and agree to norms. Leader and others may have to
facilitate towards group accountability Performing: “We’ve got a great plan, and
everyone is pulling together….” True teamwork
and cooperation, members individually
committed, multiple leaders
Adjourning: Goal accomplished, Project Over
Common identity Willing participation
Contributions valued
Shared responsibility
Good Teamwork
Clarity of roles and
relationships
Members enjoy being in the team
Common objectives
Open discussion of disagreements and
conflicts
Ways to achieve teamwork
With difficulty
Through reflection
With an awful lot of talking
Through goodwill, patience and honourable conduct
By thinking how we contribute, in our different and essential ways to the working of the team
Teamwork skills
Listening - it is important to listen to other people's ideas.
Discussing - It is important to discuss your ideas with your teammates until you agree.
Questioning - it is important to ask questions, interact, and discuss the objectives of the team.
Persuading - individuals are encouraged to exchange, defend, and then to ultimately rethink their ideas.
Respecting - it is important to treat others with respect and to support their ideas.
Helping - it is crucial to help one's coworkers, which is the general theme of teamwork.
Sharing - it is important to share with the team to create an environment of teamwork.
Participating - all members of the team are encouraged to participate in the team.
Communication - For a team to work effectively it is essential team members acquire communication skills and use effective communication channels between one another
Make teamwork 'work' for you
Participate
Be clear about your roleSupport your
leader
Be Open Minded
Keep the common goal in mind
Don't forget to have fun
Don't be the dominating one
Lets have a looks at an example of teamwork
Migrating birds use the "squadron" formation because it allows them to glide more often, conserving energy. The heart rates of the birds were lower when flying in a V than when flying solo.The aerodynamic V shape reduces the air resistance, allowing the geese to cover longer distances. In fact, a flock of geese can fly 70 percent farther by adopting the V shape rather than flying in isolation.
The V formation may offer other benefits as well. Each bird has an unobstructed field of vision, allowing flock members to see each other and communicate while in flight.
The goose at the head of the V is not necessarily the leader of the flock. Apparently, geese take turns leading. As one bird tires, it drops to the back of the formation and another takes its place. Now that's what we call teamwork.
Moral of the story
Lets keep in mind that the development of an effective team requires a positive attitude and commitment toward teamwork,coupled with an understanding of what teamwork involves.
Secondly, it requires practicing teamwork skills.This presentation of ideas has attempted to promote the former; it is up to us to pursue the latter.
This presentation of ideas has attempted to promote the former; it is up to us to pursue the latter.
Thank you