Teamwork

• Teamwork is important in livestock projects.

• Adults should understand the stages of team development.

• Family members must understand their rolesin the team process.

• Adults must teach young people the difference between gamesmanship and sportsmanship.

Overview

• Synergy – the interaction of two or more agents or forces so that their combined effect is greater than the sum of their individual effects

• Groups with strong synergy have the following characteristics: – Shared leadership roles among members– Individual accountability– Agreed upon purposes and/or goals– Collective work products– Active problem solving

• Working as a team allows individuals to work more effectively toward a shared vision.

Synergy in Teams

• Team – a number of persons associated together in work or activity

• Adults should:– Help young people develop life skills– Help young people develop good character

• Identifying roles within a team is important.

• Families must plan and set goals in the beginning.

What is a team?

• Stages define roles of team members and of the leader.

• Stages:– Forming– Storming – Norming – Performing – Adjourning

Team Development Process

• Period of uncertainty.

• Members become acquainted with each other and are very excited.

• Focus on making members comfortable and defining goals.

• Leader helps members get acquainted and build trust among each other.

• Leader must begin clarifying roles and provide direction.

Forming

• Project has arrived and everyone is excited.

• Leader makes sure everyone knows how to care for animal.

• Excitement continues as everyone is interested in helping .

• Each team member isidentifying his/her role.

Forming in Livestock Projects

• Most difficult stage.• Conflict may occur because members have different

personalities.• Leader must deal with issues such as power,

authority, working collectively. • Leader must emphasize each person’s role. • Leader must help

divide up responsibility.

Storming

• Members realize a livestock project is a lot of work.

• Members become frustrated with their roles and the way others are performing.

Ex. Someone didn’t clean pen

• Leader must recognize the frustration and take action by uniting the team.

Storming in Livestock Projects

• Team members work more collaboratively.

• Members understand they can work more efficiently if they don’t compete with one another.

• Leaders must emphasize cooperation and the importance of each person using his/her talents to contribute to the group effort.

• Collaboration is most important in this stage.

Norming

• Leader discusses what is happening with the project.

• Members see they must work together to accomplish tasks.

• Leader emphasizes goals and makes sure they are written down. – Cleaning stalls, feeding, exercising, etc.

• Members must learn to adapt and make changes when necessary.

• Team should map out weekly schedules.

Norming in Livestock Projects

• Group members understand each other and are able to work more effectively.

• Controversy is handled in an orderly manner.

• The time it takes to reach this stage varies.

• Leaders must help manage change in this stage.

• Leaders should identify members who adapt to change better than others.

• Leader should praise members for good teamwork and overcoming obstacles.

Performing

• Team is following its plan and completing tasks.• Leader should hold team meetings (once a week) to

discuss progress and celebrate success, allowing members to take turns leading meetings.

• Leader helps members build ownership and take responsibility.

Performing in Livestock Projects

• Members finish tasks and reflect on their accomplishments.

• Plans are made for the future.

• Members begin moving on to new tasks.

• Members may have a feeling of loss because of the bonds formed with team members.

• Leader must celebrate the team’s accomplishments and thank members for hard work and dedication.

• Everyone is a winner!

Adjourning

• It’s SHOWTIME!

• End of project year means showing livestock on the county, regional or state level.

• Win, lose or draw, the team issuccessful when they knowthey have done their bestand achieved their goals

• Everyone should celebrate accomplishments (no matter how big or small). This is part of positive reinforcement.

Adjourning in Livestock Projects

• Family members should be a young person’s main supporters.

• Families must find time to work collaboratively on livestock projects.

• All family members should have a role.• Involving family members makes them feel they have a

stake in the project. • Family members should be held accountable. • Planning and working collaboratively will ensure a

properly cared for animal.

Role of Family Membersin Team Process

• Differences in opinions will arise.

• The way team members handledifferences will determinetheir success.

• Covey said, “Strength lies indifferences, not in similarities.”

• When members base their opinions on facts, they can come together in a mutual agreement.

Role of Family (continued)

• Raising livestock is an educationalactivity that builds life skillsand good character.

• Adults should emphasize theimportance of showmanship. – Ex. Older person helping younger person in the show ring

• Adults must demonstrate ethicalpractices with livestock projects.

• Young people who see parentsengage in unethical practicesmay do the same.

Gamesmanship vs. Sportsmanship

• Serves as manager of the team

• Helps with areas such as validation, tagging and weighing, show entry cards, educational resources, and introducing youth to agriculture

• Helps teach life skillsand good character

• Must recruit youth tobecome involved

Role of County Extension Agent orAg. Science Teacher in Team Process

• Supports families in the day-to-day raising of livestock

• Informs young people about other opportunities and activities related to agriculture

• Must recognize the efforts put forth by families

Role of County Extension Agent orAg. Science Teacher in Team Process

• Understanding how to work in teams effectively is an important part of youth development.

• Families, county Extension agents and ag. science teachers can help young people learn how to work in teams.

• Each individual in a team has a role.

Conclusion

• Families manage the day-to-day care of animals.

• County Extension agents / ag. science teachers oversee livestock projects.

• The more families and county Extension agents/ag. science teachers understand their roles in the team process, the more efficient and productive they will be with youth livestock projects.

• Effective teamwork builds character and life skills.

Conclusion (continued)