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Teamwork is the combined efforts, or the actions of a group, to achieve a common purpose or goal.
Benefits of Teamwork
- Improved creativity
- Faster execution of ideas
- Creates a sense of community
- Improves employee productivity and morale
- Leads to professional and personal development
- Faster problem solving
“Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.” – Henry Ford
Even though many of us find working in teams difficult, the statistics show it is a driving force in employee satisfaction and company success.
Four Types of Team Players
One: The Contributor
Contributors tend to be task-oriented. Their strengths lie in sharing information with the team and making sure every aspect of a project is taken care of. Contributors are thorough and detail-oriented. Described as: responsible, authoritative, reliable, proficient, and organized.
Two: The Collaborator
Collaborators are highly goal-oriented and know how to keep their eyes on the prize. Very little can deter them from accomplishing what they set out to do. Described as: forward looking, goal oriented, accommodating, flexible, and imaginative.
Three: The Communicator
Communicators are dedicated to ensuring effective process management by identifying the parts of a process and how they each work together and independently. Described as: supportive, considerate, relaxed, enthusiastic, and tactful.
Four: The Challenger
Challengers are always looking at the bigger picture and questioning how and why things are done the way they are. Challengers dig deep and are reluctant to take things at face value. Described as: honest, outspoken, principled, ethical, and adventurous.
“The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team.” ― Phil Jackson
Qualities of an Effective Team Player
- Reliable
- Active listener
- Participates
- Shares openly and willingly
- Cooperates and helps out
- Exhibits flexibility
- Commitment to the team
- Problem-solver
- Respects and supports all team player
Reflect:
Which of these skills do you excel at and which do you need to improve upon?
Did you agree with your quiz results? Why or why not?
Create a list of things you could do to become a better team player.
“If you take out the team in teamwork, it’s just work. Now who wants that?” ― Matthew Woodring Stover
Five Functions of an Effective Team
Trust- is about being vulnerable. The only way to gain trust is if concerns or problems aren't buried and there are no hidden agendas. Trust is gained through time and evidence.
Conflict Management- Great relationships are not characterized by the absence of conflict, but actually the ability to repair after a break (conflict). Things that are damaging to relationships include passive or sarcastic comments and gossip.
Commitment- Buy-in does not require consensus, but does require focused effort to achieve the teams goals.
Accountability- often has a negative connotation, but its not necessarily negative. Accountability is simply having high standards and taking responsibility, which includes both reprimands and praising. It is not about keeping score.
Focus on results- That means there is no status or ego. Its not about us. We must believe that if the team fails, I fail and if I succeed, we succeed.
Although you may not currently be on a team or working in a group, you can still complete the following quiz by relating the questions to the last team or group you were in.
Reflect:
Do you agree with the results of the quiz? Why or why not?
What could you have done differently that would have impacted the overall effectiveness of the team?
Were all five of the above functions apparent on your team? If so, give examples of how each was demonstrated.
“It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.”— Harry S Truman
Finding Your Teams Rhythm
Barriers to Remote Teamwork
Predict:
Using what you have learned about face-to-face teamwork, brainstorm a list of barriers and resolutions for barriers in a remote setting.
Reflect:
How can you adapt what you have learned to benefit you and your team when working remotely?
“Cooperation is the thorough conviction that nobody can get there unless everybody gets there.” ― Virginia Burden
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