Teams in���Student Assignments

Your Experiences…������

Good ���&���

Not so good!���

No excuses...

“We don’t like team work...”

“The groups are too large...”

“They hold my grades back...”

“Teams never work...”

What does industry require & request...? §  Software & Licensing Sales Team Leader §  Senior Software Engineer, Java, Asia Pacific

Team §  12 Month Contract - work in a strategic

Communications Team §  Network Team Leader - Health Sector §  Architect / BI Team Leader §  Cisco Team Leader §  Software Development Team Leader

96746 job hits on

seek.com.au with Team

in the position title

690 jobs with Business Analysis

in the position title

We often work in Team environments... but what are the challenges? §  Conflict §  Collaboration §  Personal work styles §  Time (not enough!) §  Social vs. independent contributors §  Last minute / build steady progress §  Non-participation / over-participation

Qualities of Successful Teams

1.) They think in single mindedness (even after conflicts). 2.) They believe and commit to the purpose of their cause. 3.) They fully agree with the structure of the team and put the team above individual. 4.) They trust and emotionally and mentally connect with everyone in the team. They watch each other’s back and look out for each other. 5.) They agree to disagree in the midst of working together. Conflicts and problems never seperate them. Instead, they unite them. 6.) They are leaders who build leaders. 7.) They are individually of uprightness and of integrity. 8.) They communicate and update each other regularly. 9.) They build relationship together over time. 10.) They ultimately create unified growth as a group.

http://wekie.wordpress.com/2007/04/07/the-10-successful-qualities-of-team-power/

…Tuckman tells us���your Team is no different…

!

Know where your team is and !

what to expect next!! Forming §  Group members learn about each other and the task at hand. Indicators of this stage might include: Unclear objectives, Uninvolvement, Uncommitted members, Confusion, Low morale, Hidden feelings, Poor listening, etc.

Storming §  As group members continue to work, they will engage each other in arguments about the structure of the group which often are significantly emotional and illustrate a struggle for status in the group. These activities mark the storming phase: Lack of cohesion, Subjectivity, Hidden agendas, Conflicts, Confrontation, Volatility, Resentment, anger, Inconsistency, Failure.

Norming!§  Group members establish implicit or explicit rules about how they will achieve their goal. They address the types of communication that will or will not help with the task. Indicators include: Questioning performance, Reviewing/clarify objective, Changing/confirming roles, Opening risky issues, Assertiveness, Listening, Testing new ground, Identifying strengths and weaknesses.

Performing"§  Groups reach a conclusion and implement the solution to their issue. Indicators include: Creativity, Initiative, Flexibility, Open relationships, Pride, Concern for people, Learning, Confidence, High morale, Success, etc.

Adjourning!§  As the group project ends, the group disbands in the adjournment phase.

Tuckman, Bruce (1965). "Developmental sequence in small groups". Psychological Bulletin 63 (6): 384–99. Retrieved 2008-11-10."

Copyright acknowledged www.dilbert.com

May be not the ���Dilbert approach…

Why are we in teams? §  Teams are a feature of workplaces, teams may also bring new insights and experiences to a problem. Why groups of 5? §  A problem shared is a problem halved, you will have to share out your assignment in order to complete the assignment successfully. How do we get organised? §  Nominate a coordinator, support your coordinator, break the task into equal components and stick to your commitments. What if problems occur? §  Try contacting the person/s in question directly (phone) have a discussion and find out the issues, your tutor is the last port of call of course. What happens if we don’t get along? §  Remember Tuckman! Work for the better good of the team, agree to disagree but ‘agree’ a course of action.

What does non-contribution mean? §  it could mean you may lose your job in industry §  you will lose marks in the assignment/s §  you will lose credibility in the future as a student or a professional §  you will not learn as much

Form your Teams

Individual Introductions…

Question your team members… •  What grade do you want to aim for realistically! •  What time of day do you meet, early bird or night owl? •  Are you full-time student of work part/full time?

���Names/Contact Details���

phone/email/other������

Work Forum���google docs/email/other���

���Meetings���

weekly/when/where������

Commitments���What work am I responsible for? ���

When is it due? Is it of good quality?

Swap

det

ails

…

Goose Fact #1

• Fact: As each goose flaps its wings it creates an "uplift" for the birds that follow. By flying in a V-formation, the whole flock adds 72% greater flying range than if each bird flew alone.

• Lesson: People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going quicker and easier because they are working as a Team.

Goose Fact #2

• Fact: When a goose falls out of formation it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of flying alone. It quickly moves back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front of it. Lesson: If we have as much sense as a goose we stay in formation with those headed where we want to go. We are willing to accept their help and give out help to others.

Goose Fact #3

• Fact:When the lead goose tires, it rotates back into the formation and another goose flies to the point position. Lesson: It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing leadership. As with geese, people are interdependent on each other's skills, capabilities, and unique arrangement of gifts, talents, and resources.

Goose Fact #4

• Fact: When a goose gets sick, wounded, or shot down, two geese drop out of formation and follow it down to help and protect it. They stay with it until it dies or is able to fly again. Then, they launch out with another formation or catch up with the flock. Lesson: If we had as much sense as geese, we will stand by each other in difficult times as well as when we are strong.

Goose Fact #5

• Fact: The geese flying formation honk to encourage those up front to keep up their speed. Lesson: We need to make sure our honking is encouraging. In groups where there is encouragement, the production is greater. The power of encouragement (to stand by one's heart or core values and encourage the heart and core of others) is the quality of honking we seek.

http://top7business.com/?id=440

©2011 iStrategize

www.DrNeilPearson.com