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