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Team Building for Early Childhood Educators October 4, 2014 Workforce Solutions Cameron Educator Conference Dr. Alex. Garcia http://rgvprofessor.weebly.com/

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Support is yours with team work

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Team Work?

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What is a ? Is there an I in team ? A team is a collection of individuals guided by a common purpose striving for the same.. With a good team, the whole is better than the sum of the parts (Mallory, 1991).

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What is Teamwork & Team Building? Teamwork : Concept of people working together Team player: A team player is someone who is able to get along with their colleagues and work together in a cohesive group Team Building: Process of establishing and developing a greater sense of collaboration and trust between members

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Teams A group becomes a team when: 1.Leadership becomes a shared activity 2.Accountability shifts from strictly individual to both individual and collective 3.The group develops its own purpose or mission 4.Problem solving becomes a way of life, not a part-time activity 5.Effectiveness is measured by the groups collective outcomes and products

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Why Should We Be a Team? When staff use their skills and knowledge together, the result is a stronger agency that can fulfill its mission To provide accurate information that would assist individuals in achieving a better quality of life. People working together can sustain the enthusiasm and lend support needed to complete the work of each program.

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IIMCHL Good Reasons to form a Team To solve problems by drawing on the talents of variety of individuals. To foster togetherness in the workplace while tackling projects. To reduce or eliminate a lack of communication among staff members on projects. To heighten productivity by encouraging an atmosphere of cooperation. To achieve a solution that might be unpopular to some but is the desire of the majority.

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How does a Team Work Best? A Teams succeeds when its members have: a commitment to common objectives defined roles and responsibilities effective decision systems, communication and work procedures good personal relationships

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Team Morale Depends On Support Resources Communication Personalities

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Teamwork Skills (H.E.L.P.) Helping Encouraging Listening Participating

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3 Cs of Team Players Committed Collaborative Competent

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Eight Characteristics of Effective Team Players

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Every Team Member Can Helpno matter how small!

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Recipe for a Successful Team Commitment to shared goals and objectives Clearly define roles and responsibilities Use best skills of each Allows each to develop in all areas

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Recipe for Successful Team Effective systems and processes Clear communication Beneficial team behaviors; well-defined decision procedures and ground rules Balanced participation Awareness of the group process Good personal relationships

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IIMCHL Eight Characteristics of Effectively Functioning Teams (Larson and LaFasto, 1988) A clear elevating goal A results driven structure Competent members Unified commitment A collaborative climate Standards of excellence External support and recognition Principled leadership

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Characteristics of an Effective Team Members talk about, and agree upon how the team will operate. Goals established by Arvin Meritor are discussed and the team plans. on how to meet them. Members can express their feelings and ideas. Boundaries are identified and discussed. Disagreements are constructively addressed. Everybody contributes to the work of the team. People are responsible for leading when needed; people follow in support of the leader.

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IIMCHL Weak Reasons to form a Team To lighten the workload of the supervisor (this requires delegation.) To make workers transfer knowledge to one another to save educational costs (these people need training.) To determine the opinions and working styles of the staff (this organization need improved communication.) To get the staff to work harder (they need better supervision or motivation and rewards.)

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Principles of Effective Communication What is communication? The transfer of intended meaning. What is communicated? Ideas Opinions Concepts Orders, instructions Feelings

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Principles of Effective Communication Methods of communication. Verbal Written Body Language Example (action or lack of action) Causes of Communication Problems Lack of eye contact One-way communication only Lack of mutual understanding of goals or desired results Different frames of reference Feelings

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Circle Story Activitya lesson in listening The group forms a circle. A member of the group suggests a title of a story that has yet to be written. Such as: The Silly Shark. Then the group tells the story by each person in the circle speaking one word at a time. The challenge is to listen to what has been said very closely so your word will fit with the others and continue the story. It is important not to have any preconceptions as to where the story is going. There is no way for one person to control the story. Listening is also important to hear when a sentence has ended and a new one needs to begin. This continues until the group as a whole has ended the story. 25

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Line Story exercise A group of five form a line facing the rest of the group. The leader sits or crouches so the players can be seen. A suggestion for a title of the story is gotten from the audience (i.e. the rest of the group). The leader points at one person in the line. That person must start telling the story. When the leader points at another person in the line that person must continue the story. Not only must they continue the story but they must begin exactly where the other person left off mid word or mid-sentence. If the new person does not continue where they should they sit down. If a player keeps speaking after the leader points at a new person the player sits. If a player hesitates for two seconds before speaking they must sit. If the player makes no sense at all they must sit. The leader calls the players out just like they do in baseball. Leader,Youre out!. Then everyone claps as the outted player sits. After each elimination a new chapter number is given to the story. The leader reminds all what chapter they are up to and what the title of the story is. 26

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A. Principles of Effective Communication Defensive vs. Supportive Climates. Evaluation (judging) - implied (expression, speech, tone,etc.) Control - evokes resistance (perception of implied inadequacy) Superiority - indicates unwillingness to cooperate Manipulation - causes feelings of resentment Defensive Climate Factors Description - view speech as genuine request for information. Problem orientation - show sincere desire to collaborate Empathy - sender identifies with receivers problems Equality - defensiveness reduced Provisionalism - sender communicates willingness to be flexible Supportive Climate Factors

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A. Principles of Effective Communication The Way to Effective Messages Think through what you want to say before you say it. Simplify your message. Be specific; dont beat around the bush. Try to be as brief as possible. Dont assume. Review important points.

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A. Principles of Effective Communication Ineffective Youre rude. Effective Youre finishing my sentences for me.. Juanita, dont you think Eds chicken sort of reminds you of something from The Far Side. Ed, Ive got some second thoughts about your barbecued chicken. How many times have you been late this month? Is there something preventing you from being on time? That will get you into trouble. If you continue to come to work late, youll leave me no choice but to put you on probation

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Principles of Effective Communication Effective Feedback Techniques Feedback is simply letting the speaker know you are listening. Respond with statements or questions like: - - You believe that... - - Are you saying that... (triggering phrases, not judgemental) - - Youre concerned about... - - Tell me more... - - Can you give me an example?... - - Tell me in your own words... Ask questions - - How? What? Where? Who? When? Why? Feedback is probably the most under-used yet most helpful skill Feedback is probably the most under-used yet most helpful skill in communication. in communication. Use door openers to encourage speaker.

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Giving Constructive Feedback Be descriptive Don't use labels Dont exaggerate Dont be judgmental Speak for yourself

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Giving Constructive Feedback Use I messages. Restrict your feedback to things you know for certain. Help people hear and accept your compliments when giving positive feedback.

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Receiving Feedback Listen carefully. Ask questions for clarity. Acknowledge the feedback. Acknowledge the valid points. Take time to sort out what you heard.

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Principles of Effective Communication Avoiding Verbal Turnoffs Certain responses come across as rejection of another persons thoughts or feelings. Speaker may become defensive. Preaching: Preaching:........ You should take my advice... Judging Judging:......... But youre wrong! Outdoing Outdoing:......... You think you had it bad? Blah, blah, blah... Withdrawing Withdrawing:...... Forget it! Patronizing: Patronizing:........You dont really feel that way. Preaching: Preaching:........ You should take my advice... Judging Judging:......... But youre wrong! Outdoing Outdoing:......... You think you had it bad? Blah, blah, blah... Withdrawing Withdrawing:...... Forget it! Patronizing: Patronizing:........You dont really feel that way.

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Principles of Effective Communication Avoiding Verbal Turnoffs Killer Phrases throw up road blocks to potential solutions. When someone uses a killer phrase, the speaker can only: - - Fight back - and how often is that productive? - - Ignore it - but the damage is done. - - Sit down and shut up - and the idea dies.

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Principles of Effective Communication Keys to Effective Listening The Bad Listener The Key The Good Listener Continually interrupts. Stop Talking Gives speakers time to say what they have to say. Tunes out if delivery is poor. Judge Content not Delivery Judges content, skips over delivery errors. Tends to enter into arguments. Hold Your Fire Holds temper, doesnt jump to conclusions. Listens only for facts. Listen for Ideas Listens for important themes. Influenced by who speaker is. React to ideas, not speaker. Shows little attention, or fakes it. Show Interest Pays attention to what speaker says, not who they are. Actively listens to understand rather than only to reply. Is easily distracted. Resist Distractions Avoids distraction, knows how to concentrate. Gives no feedback. Asks Questions Encourages speaker to develop points further. Reacts to emotional words. Keep an open mind Knows loaded words and phrases, but does not get hung up on them. Remember: You cant listen if youre talking.

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Principles of Effective Communication Basic Principles for Human Relations Create a supportive climate for all your interpersonal relationships. - - Take constructive approach Avoid personal attacks by taking a problem-oriented approach. - - Objectively focus on the situation Respect and enhance the self-esteem of others. - - Necessary for creating a supportive climate Set the example by taking constructive action at every opportunity. - - Look for improvement opportunities and take action.

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Principles of Effective Communication Communication Essential to teamwork - have a clear understanding of common targets. Best tools for building cooperative relationships between employees. Vital to the success of the company. Examples of effective communication: Assisting the team leader in developing standardized work instructions. Communicating necessary information between team members. Attending and participating in team meetings to continuously improve performance.

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Tuckman Model of Team Life Cycle

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Stage 1: FORMING The Team defines the problem agrees on goals and formulates strategies for tackling the tasks determines the challenges and identifies information needed Individuals take on certain roles develops trust and communication

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Stage 2: STORMING During the Storming stage team members: realize that the task is more difficult than they imagined have fluctuations in attitude about chances of success may be resistant to the task have poor collaboration

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Storming Diagnosis Do we have common goals and objectives? Do we agree on roles and responsibilities? Do our task, communication, and decision systems work? Do we have adequate interpersonal skills?

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Stage 3: NORMING During this stage members accept: their team team rules and procedures their roles in the team the individuality of fellow members Team members realize that they are not going to crash-and-burn and start helping each other.

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Stage 4: PERFORMING Team members have: gained insight into personal and team processes a better understanding of each others strengths and weaknesses gained the ability to prevent or work through group conflict and resolve differences developed a close attachment to the team

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Stage 5: ADJOURNING Team members have: Conducts an assessment Recognizes team and individuals for participation and achievement and an opportunity for members to say personal goodbyes.

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StageThemeIssue FormingAwarenessInclusion StormingConflictControl NormingCooperationCohesion PerformingProductivityTeam Identity AdjourningSeparationCompletion

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Conclusion When people believe in each other, when they believe that each team member will bring superior skills to a task or responsibility, that disagreements or opposing views will be worked out reasonably, that each members view will be treated seriously and with respect, that all team members will give their best effort at all times, and that every one will have the teams overall best interest at heart, then excellence can become a sustainable reality.

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Everyone Has to Hang in There!

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References Larson, C., & La Fasto, F.M.J. (1989). Teamwork: What must go right/what can go wrong. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage. Mallory, C. (1991). Team Building: How to build a Winning Team. Shawnee Mission, KS; National Press Publications. Tuckman, B. (1965) Developmental Sequence in Small Groups. Psychological Bulletin, 63, 384-399. Tuckman, B. & Jensen, M. (1977) Stages of Small Group Development. Group and Organizational Studies, 2, 419-427.