working in teams

we all need to do it, so let's do it as well as we can

what is a team?

With very few exceptions humans have evolved as a social society. We have become specialised in our daily tasks and we trade with others of a different specialism. It is a trade off: group safety and skill sharing for personal space and complete independence. We are now inter-dependent and must be able to function with, in and as a team to live and work in our society successfully.

To be successful, we have to be able to:

• act within our society's rules; we might even be able to contribute and influence these rules if we live or work democratically
• contribute something to the team that it needs
• find a shared purpose in the team's work.

work in a team

To be good at working in and with teams, we need to:

• understand and recognise what others contribute to the team
• be prepared to reorganise our own views to complement those of the teams' task
• be able to discuss, disagree, rework ideas with interest and without overwhelming personal emotion.

Tools we need for good team working are:

• active listening
• self awareness
• constructive criticism
• maintaining motivation - try a feelgood thermometer
• keeping the bigger purpose in mind
• negotiation.

work as a team

This is the aim of any group working together. Working as a team is more effective and often more efficient than acting as a group of separate individuals. Weaknesses are balanced by strengths, problems can be solved by varying perspectives and workloads are eased by complementary skills.

Making a team work effectively takes some initial effort. It helps if you are aware that teams go through stages (forming, storming, norming and performing) which influence their performance and team member satisfaction. Ken Blanchard has written an excellent little book about them called "The one minute manager builds high performing teams". Read more.

A few more thoughts on working as a team can be found in Gung Ho! by Ken Blanchard:

• If work is worthwhile it will be done. It will feel worthwhile if it is important; has a common goal; and is driven by shared values.
• When everyone is "doing the right work the right way" a team will work well and perform. Teams do not necessarily need a leader all the time.
• When work has been done, recognising it publicly will keep the team motivated. Keep your congratulations TRUE (Timely; Responsive; Unconditional and Enthusiastic) and they won't become false or ineffectual.