CHAPTER 4: DEVELOPING TEAMWORK SKILLS

1 37 CHAPTER 4: DEVELOPING TEAMWORK SKILLSThe purpose of this CHAPTER is to present information and self-assessment, and skill-development exercises that will assist the reader to develop TEAMWORK SKILLS . Being aneffective team player is one of the most important sets of behaviors in the OUTLINE AND LECTURE NOTESA team is a small number of people with complementary SKILLS who are committedto a common purpose, set of performance goals, and approach for which they holdthemselves mutually TYPES OF TEAMSAll workplace teams have the common element of people working togethercooperatively and members possessing a mix of Self-Managing Work TeamsThe best known work team is a group of workers who take over much of theresponsibility for managing their own work.

2 A self-managing work team is asmall group of employees responsible for managing and performing technical tasksto deliver a product or service to an external or internal customer. The vast majorityof large- and medium-size firms make some use of self-managing work teams. Suchteams perform a wide variety of manufacturing and service activities. B. Cross-Functional TeamsA cross-functional team is a work group composed of workers from differentspecialties, at about the same organizational level, who come together to accomplisha task. The people from different specialties are supposed to blend their teams are widely used in product Virtual TeamsSome teams conduct most of their work by sending electronic messages to eachother rather than conducting face-to-face meetings.

3 A virtual team is a small groupof people who conduct almost all of their collaborative work by electroniccommunication rather than face-to-face THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF TEAMS ANDTEAMWORKT eams, as well as groups in general, should not be regarded uncritically; they haveboth advantages and Advantages of Group Work and Team WorkA group of knowledgeable people can bring about synergy, whereby the group stotal output exceeds the sum of each individual s contribution. Groups help gainacceptance and commitment. Team members often critically evaluate each other sthinking, thus avoiding major errors.

4 Working in teams and other groups alsoenhances job satisfaction and need satisfaction, such as the need for Disadvantages of Group Work and TeamworkGroups and teams often talk too much and act too little. A major problem in groupsis pressure toward conformity to group standards of performance and conductwhich could hurt the organization. Social loafing is the shirking of individualresponsibility in a group setting. At their worst, groups foster conflict, with peoplebickering about matters such as doing a fair share of work. Groups can becomexenophobic, thus entering into conflict with other key potential problem is groupthink, a deterioration of mental efficiency, realitytesting, and moral judgment in the interest of group solidarity.

5 Groupthink isextreme conditions are important for overcoming the potential disadvantages of teamsand groups. First, the members must strive to act like a team. Second, the task givento the group should require collective effort instead of being a task that could bebetter performed by TEAM MEMBER ROLESA major challenge in becoming an effective team member is to choose the rightroles to occupy. Frequently observed positive roles are presented Knowledge ContributorThe Knowledge Contributor provides the group with useful and valid information,and shares technical expertise with team members.

6 A person occupying this rolepays enough attention to the human element to get the task Process ObserverThe process, or soft side, of TEAMWORK includes the transactions that take placeamong and between team members. The Process Observer forces the group to lookat how it is functioning by confronting others about the transactions taking CollaboratorThe collaborator keeps the team focused on its goal and frequently reminds thegroup to do whatever is necessary to stay on People Supporter39 The People Supporter assumes some of the leader s responsibility for providingemotional support to teammates and resolving conflict.

7 He or she serves as a modelof active listening, and is a model of etiquette and ChallengerThe Challenger confronts and challenges bad ideas, yet has good interpersonalskills. He or she will criticize any decision or preliminary thinking that is deficient,including ethical ListenerListening is part of other roles, yet it contributes so substantially to team successthat it comprises a separate role. The team leader must shift frequently into theListener role. The Listener provides summaries for the MediatorThe Mediator attempts to resolve conflict by asking permission to interpret eachposition, then makes the interpretation.

8 Each side is given the opportunity to edit orcorrect the statement of his or her position. Mediation can move a group away frombeing stuck, and on to more productive GatekeeperWhen the opportunity gate for speaking is closed for several members, the Gatekeeper intentionally opens the gate. The Gatekeeper will request that a specificteam member be allowed to contribute, or that his or her past contribution should not be concerned about overlap in the above roles. Instead, theyshould pick and choose those roles most appropriate for the situation. IV. GUIDELINES FOR THE INTERPERSONAL ASPECTS OF TEAM PLAYE ffectiveness as a team player can be enhanced by understanding the SKILLS , actions,and attitudes required to be an effective team player.

9 A convenient method forclassifying team activities in pursuit of goals is people-related versus Trusting Team MembersThe cornerstone attitude of an outstanding team player is to trust team membersincluding the leader. Working on a team is akin to a small business team members also includes believing that their ideas are technically soundand rational until proven High Level of Cooperation and CollaborationCooperation and collaboration are synonymous with TEAMWORK . Collaboration at a team level refers to working jointly with others to solve mutual a cooperative team spirit is often a question of making the first Recognizing the Interests and Achievements of OthersA fundamental tactic for establishing oneself as a solid team player is to activelyrecognize the interests and achievements of others.

10 Let others know that you careabout their interests. Be prepared to compliment any tangible Share the GloryAn effective team player shares praise and other rewards for accomplishment even if he or she were the most deserving. Shared praise is usually merited to some extentbecause teammates have probably made at least some contribution to theachievement that received Don t Rain On Another Person s ParadeWe all have achievements and accomplishments that are sources of pride. Belittlingthe achievements of others for no legitimate reasons brings about tension and your feelings of petty GUIDELINES FOR THE TASK ASPECTS OF TEAM PLAYThe task aspects of team play also make a key contribution to becoming an effectiveteam player.