Teamwork

Question 1

325. What is meant by teamwork?

Answer 1

• A co-operative effort by a group of people to achieve a common goal
• In a teamwork environment, people understand and believe that thinking, planning, decisions and actions are better when done co-operativly.

Question 2

326. What makes a good effective team?

Answer 2

• Common sense of purpose
• Clear understanding of the teams objectives
• Resources to achieve objectives
• Mutual respect
• Valuing members strengths and weaknesses
• Mutual trust
• Willingness to share knowledge and expertise
• Willingness to speak openly
• Range of skills amongst team members
• Range of personal styles for various roles

Question 3

327. What are the benefits of team working?

Answer 3

• Shared workload
• Improved productivity
• Improved quality
• Improved customer focus
• Speed up the development of solutions
• Increase employee motivation
• Utilise different skillsets

Question 4

328. What is the difference between a team and committee?

Answer 4

• A committee is body of people appointed for a function
• A team is a group of people aiming for a common goal in good spirit

Question 5

329. How would you go about selecting the right members for your team?

Answer 5

• Firstly understand the task and identify what skills and experience is required
• Review the existing team to understand the skills and experience already available
• Select new team members to fill the shortfall, the dynamics of the existing team should be considered to ensure the new people ”fit” with the existing team.

Question 6

330. How would you deal with an inexperienced team member?

Answer 6

• Provide encouragement and motivation
• Draw up a plan to strengthen their areas of weakness
• Give constructive feedback
• Coach them, let them explain how they are doing things and why and steer them where they need some additional guidance
• Provide support where needed

Question 7

331. How do you promote an open discussion with your team?

Answer 7

• Create a calm and relaxed environment during meetings/ workshops to make people feel welcome, significant and at ease
• Promote the “there is no silly questions or answers culture
• Encourage involvement from all parties – doing a “round the table” for key topic points

Question 8

332. Why might a team fail?

Answer 8

• Poor selection of team members that do not meet the skills required to achieve an objective
• Inadequate resource, conflicting personalities and poor leadership
• Poorly defined or unachievable goals

Question 9

333. Do you know any theoretical models relating to teams and how the operate?

Answer 9

Tuckman` theory focuses on the way in which a team tackler a task from the initial formation of the team through to the completion of the project. The key stages are:
Forming – Specification of common goals and desired behaviour
Storming – Conflicts and Negotiation
Norming – Consensus and team spirit
Performing – Finding the balance between conformity and deviance
Adjourning – Feedback and dispersion

Question 10

334. What is the difference between leadership and management in teamwork?

Answer 10

• Leadership – Setting a direction or vision for a group a leader is the spearhead for a new direction
• Management – Controls or directs people in a group according to principles or values that have already been established.

Question 11

335. What is meant by team dynamics in the works place?

Answer 11

Describes the behavioural relationships between the members of a group. The dynamic between them includes how they interact, communicate and cooperate with one another

Question 12

336. How can you improve team dynamics?

Answer 12

• Know your team and understand what motivates them
• Focus attention
• Tackle problems quickly
• Define roles and responsibilities
• Break down the barriers and clear communication
• Empowerment