Teamworking

Teams Brainstorm words and concepts related to “teams” Teamwork Teamplayer Team leader Team members Team culture Team building Trust Participation Open communication Collaboration Cooperation Meetings Decisions made together “There is no I in TEAM” “None of us is as good as all of us."

Solve the problem using the “Six Thinking Hats” technique

Role-play You are members of a team of 6 which is responsible for setting up a new production line at an engineering plant. You are all working overtime in order to complete the project by the end of the month. Now one of the key engineers in your team has been injured in an accident and will be off work for the next two weeks at least. Should you: try to manage with the remaining team members? bring in a new engineer to take the place of your colleague? try to persuade management to extend the deadline for the project? look for another solution?

Individualist v Collectivist cultures Read the pairs of statements on your handout again and decide which refer to individualist cultures and which to collectivist cultures. (G. Hofstede: Culture’s Consequences) How would you summarize the difference between these two types of cultures? What do team leaders have to look out for as possible problems with working in a collectivist or in an individualist culture?

Individualist v Collectivist cultures Self-realization is important People should look after themselves and immediate family Individual should fit into the group People look after the wider group Loyalty is highly prized

Case study: An American manager working in Japan is particulary impressed by the performance of one member of his team. At the next team meeting he praises this person in front of the group. The rest of the Japanese team look uneasy. What do you think is happening here?