Teamwork

What is team work?

Teams are a part of everyone's life. You're a member of a family team, a staff team, school, health care and community teams So it's appropriate that you understand how to function effectively as a team member A team is defined as a group (a collection of people) who interact to achieve a common goal, but an effective, wellfunctioning team is much more than this Participants in an effective team care about the group's wellbeing. They skillfully combine appropriate individual talents with a positive team spirit to achieve results

How is team different from group or committee?

Teams embody a collective action arising out of task interdependency Members of the team agree on the goal Members agree that they must work together to achieve the goal Each member is viewed as having one or more important roles to play to successfully achieve the goal There is less hierarchy within the unit than in most work groups

Effective Team-Building Takes Time

There must be frequent and prolonged contact Team members come together around a specific goal or project Effective teams go through four stages of team development

What are the Four Stages of Team Development?

Forming Storming Norming Performing

Every effective team goes through these life cycle stages

Forming
Team members are introduced and begin getting to know each other Goals and tasks are established Generally polite behavior among members Norms are not understood

Storming
Members are sizing each other up and may feel more comfortable and voice their views Members may compete for team roles May argue about goals or how they should be accomplished May choose sides against other members

Norming
Once issues are resolved, agreement occurs around team norms and expectations Trust and common interests are developing Roles and objectives are clarified and understood

Performing
Members make contributions and are motivated by results Leadership is shared according to members knowledge and skills Norms and culture are well understood Tasks get accomplished effectively and efficiently

Characteristics of effective team

Members have a clear goal The focus is on achieving results There is a plan for achieving the goal Members have clear roles Members are committed to the goal Members are competent They achieve decisions through consensus There is diversity among team members Members have effective interpersonal skills They know each other well and have good relationships Each member feels empowered to act, speak up, offer ideas An informal climate and easiness exists among members The team has the support of management The team is open to new ideas The team is a relatively small size

Also Important
Eye contact Always direct your visual attention to the person with whom you are conversing or listening. Body language Always keep your body in attention. If your body is slouched, your attention span may slack and your listening skills may weaken. Responses When asked, answer questions in complete sentences. Repetition Repeat specific comments said by the person with whom you are conversing or listening. Gentility Be kind. People appear to be good listeners when they want to listen to others. If you look like you're listening "just because," then your listening skills will appear less than perfect.

 In life, when faced with failure, sometimes it is appropriate to work harder and put in more effort. Sometimes it is appropriate to change strategy and try something different. And sometimes it is appropriate to do both. Never give up when faced with failure Fast and consistent will always beat slow and steady Work to your competencies Compete against the situation, not against a rival. Pooling resources and working as a team will always beat individual performers

 Moral: Its people's attitude that makes place of work, a hell or heaven to them!! 'Help and Seek Help' is what that makes all the difference to each individual's life...and makes our lives hell or otherwise. Success and happiness is all about effective team-work...

Lets go and build stronger teams