TEAMWORK

How do you work with others?

WHY TEAMWORK?

• In order to be a productive and effective team, members at all times have to practice good communication and conflict resolution;

• In the business world, almost all the work is done in teams because the technology changes so fast and competition is tight;

• Individual workers can no longer survive on their own to complete major tasks;

THE WORLD OF BUSINESS

• The employees of firms work together for individual projects and then move on to new projects once done;

• They are under time pressures, organizational issues, and production values in order to complete the project in a set amount of time in order to move onto the next project;

• This type of rapid change requires flexibility within a team environment;

DECISIONS IN BUSINESS

• In the world of business, competition is fierce, so the company often will “re-structure” in order to cut costs and be able to make their product faster and cheaper;

• Individual workers are now put in charge of making more and more decisions without management input or supervision;

• Working in a team helps to solve problems and make decisions once made by management;

TEAMS AND PROBLEM SOLVING• Companies appreciate people who are able

to solve problems quickly and efficiently;• Being able to analyze information and

determine the root cause of an issue AND be able to come up with feasible solutions to implement;

• Team based environments help workers to be able to see problems more creatively, see others’ point of view, move together to solve a problem and implement a solution;

TYPES OF PROBLEMS

• NEGATIVE– Being able to solve problems regarding

products, services or breakdown in productions;• Faulty product parts

• POSITIVE– Addressing issues regarding supply and

demand, increasing your business, addressing orders;

• Massive number of orders to fill

COMBINATION SKILLS

• “A team is a group of people with different roles who work together for a common goal.”

• A team must consist of more than one person;

• Members usually have different roles;• Members must share a desire for a common

goal;

ASSIGNMENT #1

• Using the handout Job Smart: Teamwork, fill in the teamwork that each job requires;

• Look to how they are needed by other jobs and what would happen if that job was not done;

BASIC TEAM ROLES

• Being able to clearly define team members’ roles is vital in developing a goal and coming to effective solutions;

• once the roles are defined, the team will be able to work effectively and efficiently to accomplish their goal;

THE SPONSOR (“COACH”)

• Usually a manager type; guides the team;• Gets the team together, gives them a goal

or objective, then lets them do the work;• Team can call on the Sponsor for advice

and help in removing ‘roadblocks’ to their goal;

• Team reports back to the Sponsor when it has achieved the goal, or needs approval to move ahead;

THE LEADER (“TEAM CAPTAIN”)

• Leads the team members and gives directions in the process;

• Most responsible for making sure that the team members know their roles;

• Sees that assignments get completed effectively;

• Makes sure all members have a chance to contribute during meetings;

TEAM MEMBERS

• Usually composed of people with different talents, jobs and responsibilities;

• Each person’s job depends on the team goal;

• Each member has to understand their role in order to be effective;

• The efforts of the team usually outperform the actions of individuals;

RECORDER / TIMER

• Responsible for informing the team of the time remaining in meetings, project processes, schedules;

• A recorder ensures notes are kept of team progress;

• May be a rotating position so not one person responsible for keeping notes;

• Keeps team on task and meeting deadlines;

ASPECTS OF GROUP FUNCTION

• GROUP DYNAMICS:– The way in which one group member relates

to another; inter-relationships

• COLLABORATION:– A result of members of the group working

together to achieve a shared goal;

ASPECTS OF GROUP FUNCTION

• COMPETITION:– A result of individuals working against one

another to achieve the same goal;– Forces the development of individual skills;

• INTERDEPENDENCE:– Situations where individuals can not

accomplish the goal without the assistance of others;

ASPECTS OF GROUP FUNCTION

• CONSENSUS:– Members of the group arrive at a solution

supported by all;– Usually involves compromise without

sacrificing desires of individuals;

LEADERSHIP

• Good leadership skill can be learned or inherent (natural), but skill development is always necessary;

• Good leadership skills have to encompass good communication, team building, conflict resolution, problem solving and goal setting;

LEADERSHIP SKILLS

• Listening and speaking effectively;• Understanding others’ viewpoints;• Solving problems; • Visualizing the outcome;• Share power and recognize others’

contributions;• Encourage others to work toward the goal;• Self-motivated and motivating;

AVOIDING TEAM CONFLICT

• Be co-operative and supportive• Take responsibility within the team• Ask for help when needed• Develop good communication skills• Think before you speak• Show interest in others’ efforts• Understand the points of others• Allow equal opportunity

TEAM CONFLICT

• When others won’t co-operate it makes the team and goal difficult to deal with;

• You have to approach this using active listening by acknowledging their point, restate the need you have; look to work out the issue;

• By using the keys to active listening, the conflict can usually be worked out;

ASSIGNMENT #2

• Watch the Case Study and answer the questions on the handout.

• Keep in mind the keys to good teamwork.

• Submit only the Case Study.