Teamwork

TABLE OF CONTENTS Teamwork What is a Team? Benefits of a Team Developing a Team ©iStockphoto.com

“Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision. The ability to direct individual accomplishments toward organizational objectives. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results.” - Andrew Carnegie Teamwork

A team is a collection of individuals, each with his/her own expertise, brought together to benefit a common goal. What is a Team?

Benefits of a Team Shared workload Chances for leadership and personal satisfaction A sense of belonging to a successful process The ability to accomplish more than if work is performed independently

Step #1:Identify the team’s mission. What does the team have to do? How will the team accomplish the task? What information is needed? What resources are available? Developing a Team ©iStockphoto.com

Step #2:Have team members establish group norms. Develop guidelines, protocols, or rules. Establish them by the team through consensus. Regulate proper and acceptable behavior by and between team members. Commit to agree to follow these rules. No design decision should be acted on without discussion and consensus from all team members. Developing a Team ©iStockphoto.com

Establishing Group Norms Create a list of norms by brainstorming with teammates. Analyze each norm and discuss its impact on the team and the overall goal. Identify key norms that everyone can come to consensus on. Establish consequences if norms are broken. Developing a Team ©iStockphoto.com

Typical Group Norms Input from all team members Team meeting schedule and project timeline Communication protocols Conflict resolution protocols A copy of the established norms should be provided to each team member. Developing a Team ©iStockphoto.com

Step #3:Identify team members’ strengths and weaknesses. Have team members list their individual talents, skills, and limitations. Identify job responsibilities. Remember: Each team member’s strengths are a support mechanism for the weaknesses of other team members. Developing a Team ©iStockphoto.com

TABLE OF CONTENTS Teamwork What is a Team? Benefits of a Team Developing a Team ©iStockphoto.com

Image Resources Microsoft, Inc. (n.d.). Clip art. Retrieved September 30, 2009, from us/clipart/default.aspx iStockphoto. Retrieved October 27, 2009, from