CHAPTER 6

Teamwork

Why Do We Need Teamwork?

Many hands make light workSum of the whole is greater than its parts

Use collective strengths, personalities, talents, and skills

Together we stand, united we fall Can mean the difference between success and failure

Transitioning from individual to group to team

Independent—operating individually

Interdependent—depending on the help of others

Types of groups: Families Friends Neighbors Churches Communities

Groups versus teams

All groups are not teamsTeams have a common goalTeams have identifiable tasksTeams work for the good of the groupTeams collaborate, discuss, and have a

shared understanding of their missionTeam members get to know each

other’s strengths and preferred way of doing things

Teams set timelines and meet to discuss progress

How to build a successful team

Clear expectations Do team members understand why the

team was created? Are the expectations identified for the

team’s performance and outcomes?Context

Do team members understand why they are participating on the team?

Can team members define the team’s importance to the overall goals of the company?

How to build a successful team

Commitment Do team members want to participate

on the team? Do team members feel that the

mission is important?Competence

Does the team feel that it has the appropriate people participating?

Does the team feel that its members have the knowledge, skill, and capability to address the issues for which the team was formed?

How to build a successful team

Charter Has the team taken its assigned area of responsibility

and designed its own mission, vision, and strategies to accomplish the mission?

Control Does the team have enough freedom and

empowerment to feel the ownership necessary to accomplish its charter?

Do team members understand their boundaries?

How to build a successful team

Collaboration Does the team understand team and

group process? Do members understand the stages of

group development? Are team members working together

effectively interpersonally?Communication

Are team members clear about the priority of their tasks?

Is there an established method for feedback?

How to build successful teams?

Creative Innovation Is the organization really interested in

change? Doe it value creative thinking, unique

solutions, and new ideas? Does it reward people who take

reasonable risks to make improvements?

Consequences Do team members feel responsible and

accountable for team achievements? Are rewards and recognitions supplied

when teams are successful?

How to build successful teams

Coordination Are teams coordinated by a central

leadership team that assist the groups to obtain what they need for success?

Have priorities and resources been allocated?

Cultural Change Does the organization recognize that the

team-based, collaborative, empowering, enabling organizational culture is different from the traditional, hierarchical organization it may currently be?

Impact of Team Building Events

Boost enthusiasm and positive moralePeople feel good about themselves and each

otherEmployees get to know each other better and

have a common experience to talk about at work

Team Building Downsides and Risks

Help employees become cynical about their organizations Occurs when the team building events are held

outside of the context of the company’s normal way of doing things Example: send people off to team building event but all

work incentives are based on individual goals and efforts

People lose productive hours complaining

Team Building Downsides and Risks

Harm trust, motivation, employee morale Occurs when team events are not followed up with

meaningful activities in the workplacePeople become jaded about such events as a

waste of time and energy Occurs when team events have no follow-up

Team Building Success Factors

Use a team to plan the event Model behavior you seek from the team building

sessionsInclude teams in overall corporate structure

of philosophies, values, and practices People in a team environment share a purpose, vision,

mission, and development system that enables people to grow personally and professionally

Team Building Success Factors

Reward and recognize team behaviors Teams solve problems and improve processes

Team building events can enhance and help an organization grow stronger when used on an ongoing basis

Character of Teams

The character of the members of the team will have a great impact on how effectively the team functions

The character of the team will be no better than the character of the members and how well they work together to accomplish team goals The team is no better than its weakest link

Character of Teams

Teams must: Have a good reputation Be respectful of team members, other

teams, and community (business, school, church, etc.)

Exhibit appropriate behavior Be responsible and live up to the team’s

purpose and goals Contribute in a positive way to the

improvement, enhancement or growth of the community

Understand and accept diversity Care for team resources—human,

material, financial