Worksheet: How Effective Teams Work

Worksheet: How effective teams work

You are work in a large pet store. You are working with three other staff members to write a series of pamphlets about different aspects of animal care. Several weeks into the project, two of the staff members complain that it would be better if every one worked separately rather than in a team—they have become very negative about working in teams.

In a small group, read the nine complaints about working in teams. Discuss what would happen in an effective team. A sample response has been done for Complaint 1 to help you get started.

When you have finished, compare your answers with the ones suggested at the end of this worksheet.

Complaint 1: Unclear expectations of teamwork

‘Nobody in knows what we’re supposed to do. Now that we’ve divided the work up, some people have hardly started. We’re nowhere near finishing and everyone’s pamphlets look so different.’

Example

Good teams communicate effectively. They have a clear purpose or goal and agree on team strategies, roles and responsibilities. They offer support and encouragement to each other, and they share and learn from the teams’ collective skills and abilities.

Complaint 2: Slow decision making

‘There are too many different personalities and ideas. It takes forever to make decisions.’

Your response:

______

1 © NSW DET 2006

Complaint 3: The ineffective use of time

‘So much time is spent meeting and talking. I could have done it quicker by myself!’

Your response:

______

Complaint 4: Variations in skill levels

‘Some people aren’t good at writing. They bring the team down.’

Your response:

______

Complaint 5: Disagreements

‘We don’t really have the same ideas about a lot of things. When we meet we often didn’t do any work. People just chat and waffle.’

Your response:

______

Complaint 6: Levels of participation

‘One person always wants to do all the easy bits or as a little as possible. One person doesn’t even bother to help—they know that we’d get the work done because we really want to do a good job. It doesn’t seem fair.’

Your response:

______

2 © NSW DET 2006

______

Complaint 7: Sharing success

‘Some of us work really hard while others do nothing. In the end, we all still get paid. Is that fair?’

Your response:

______

Complaint 8: Scheduling conflict

‘It’s always the same. One team member can come in the morning, but another is working on the afternoon shift. It’s impossible to mange different timetables.’

Your response:

______

Complaint 9: Conflicting personalities

‘There’s always the person who has to say something, but doesn’t actually do anything, or the person who has to make a joke out of everything. Then there are those who love power. I’d much rather work by myself.’

Your response:

______

Feedback

Complaint 2: Possible response

An effective team values different abilities, personalities and experience. Team members know these differences mean that there are more ideas to think about and a better chance of success. An effective team expects differences and knows they must be managed. It communicates well and uses flexible decision making procedures.

Complaint 3: Possible response

Effective teams know planning takes time. They see meeting and communicating well as important to success. Effective teams have clear goals and agree on team strategies, roles and responsibilities. In the long-term, they can be more productive because they use their collective skills and have more people to complete tasks.

Complaint 4: Possible response

Effective teams take advantage of the unique skills people bring. They negotiate roles and responsibilities according to these skills. For example, one student might be good at research; another might have good technology skills and can create the presentation; while another might be a good public speaker. Effective teams also look for opportunities for mentoring or coaching.

Complaint 5: Possible response

Effective teams are aware of diversity and individual differences and manage conflict constructively. Members are polite and positive. They encourage communication. They listen and focus on the issue, not the person, and develop practical solutions.

Complaint 6: Possible response

Effective teams encourage participation. People have their say and have a chance to negotiate roles and responsibilities. Effective teams involve everyone, and everyone gets involved. Effective teams know that although members should be fair in their effort, each individual will have different skills. Not all team members may do equal work, and thinking that way doesn’t always benefit the team.

Complaint 7: Possible response

In effective teams, members think about the goals of the team. They know all team members may not do equal work. It is important to negotiate roles and to be flexible.

Complaint 8: Possible response

Team members are committed to the team goals and understand that communication is essential. They make time for meetings and look for effective ways to communicate—for example by email or by phone. Minutes are taken every meeting, so members who can’t attend are informed.

Complaint 9: Possible response

Effective teams use good interpersonal communication skills to manage differences. Members participate actively and are able to share ideas and feelings. They value and respect each other, and they know when to speak up and when to be silent.