Making Teams WorkWhat Makes Teams Work?

Explain why teams are essential in the workplace.

Identify what makes a group of individuals a team.

Describe what makes teams work. Explain why some teams fail. Lead or facilitate a team. Participate more effectively as a team

member.

Learning Objectives

Can the specified task be performed better by a skilled individual working alone or a Team?

Avoid Too Many People Consider The Task

Determine If A Team Is Needed

Working Environment & Resources Information, meeting place & times, time

management, and administration & technical support

External Support & Expertise Incentives

Organizational Support Examples

Recognition Funding, etc.

Provide Organization Support

Team potency Value Contribution Enthusiasm, Satisfaction, Energy &

Commitment Avoid Groupthink

“Team members’ overwhelming drive to reach consensus…” – Waldeck

Balance the Majority Opinion Give Equality and Voice

Continued…

Agreement Be Able to Articulate Skills & Expertise Objectives Define Clear Direction What are the team goals?

Targets? How?

Define Team Objectives

Size Compatibility Establish Trust

Create the Team

Roles Identify Responsibilities Leadership

Expectations “Set agendas, assign tasks, and provide team

training, as needed” – Waldeck

Focus Respect

Guidelines Agreement is desirable, but not essential No “Bad” Ideas Leave Personal Agendas Out

Establish Ground Rules

Synergy 1 + 1 = 3 Diverse Talents & Abilities Innovation

Trust Is Essential Communication Fill-in Where Needed Treat Each Other with Dignity &

Respect

Facilitate Collaboration, Disagreement, & Trust

Important! Successful Teams

High Standards Perseverance

Define Values Choose How to Achieve Results

Dishonesty Manipulative Integrity

Process

Define Standards for Performance

Commitment Is Crucial For Team Success Take Credit Dishonestly Quality Quantity

Participation

Push for Commitment

Review What can we do better? What are the team’s goals? How to we measure success?

Standards of Performance Process is Meaningful

Feedback Recognition Timing

Pause and Reflect

Peter Skillman, “Build a Tower, Build a Team.”

Teambuilding Diversity – unique talents and skills

The Marshmallow Challenge

Applicable Lessons Prototyping Matters Diverse Skills are Important Incentives Magnify Results

Keep it Simple!

Why is this important?

Concept Variations

Communication Google Groups File Sharing Inclusive

Brainstorming Meeting for Practice

Examples of Good Teamwork

Effective Teams Must Be Built And Maintained!

Clear Goals Effective Communication Define Roles and Responsibilities Establish Trust With Integrity &

Respect Strive For Synergy

Summary

Questions

Waldeck, Jennifer H., et al. Business and Professional Communication in a Digital Age. Boston, MA: Wadsworth/Cengage Learning, 2013. Print.

Tom Wujec. “Ted2010 Talk.” The Marshmallow Challenge. n.p. PDF.

“The Marshmallow Challenge.” 19 Jan. 2010. Image.

Sources