Team Building Important In Functioning Groups

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Introduction Working well in a group is crucial for the success of each individual within a functioning group. This scholarly paper will explore common concepts relating to teams in general, and how it affects the PBL class specifically. It will cover how team building applies to group process and learning. It will also describe the importance of team building in the nursing profession, and as a member of the health care team. Overall, this paper will prove that team building is an important concept in how a group functions, especially within the health care system. Teams and Team Building “Teams are examples of synergy in action.” (Campbell, 2003, p. 201). Campbell uses this analogy to depict how a group functions. The definition of synergy is, “the action of two or more substances or organisms to achieve an effect of which each is individually incapable.” (Campbell, 2003, p.201). All in all, this can be related to the well-known saying, that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Relating this to a team, this means that each person is responsible for their own work. However, the members are “interdependent” (Nazzaro & Strazzabosco, 2009, p.4), which means that the group’s objective is met depending on how everyone in the group interacts with one another. “Team building is a way of encouraging individuals to participate together in activities.” (Toofany, 2007, p.25.). Managers and leaders are those who are play very important roles in team building. Dimock (2007) defines leadership as acts that help the group to accomplish its goals and maintain itself as a group. However, the leader must “understand and respect others,” as well as “concentrate on team building processes.” (Toofany, 2007, p.25.). Baltazar and Meal... ... middle of paper ... ...3) mentioned, “no one exists on a vacuum on a team...” Nurses cannot care for patients in a vacuum-like environment. They need to work together as part of a team, firstly within the nurses, and secondly within a larger team of health care providers. Conclusion Team building is an important concept in functioning groups, and is essential in order for that group to be successful in achieving their goals. It is an on-going process that encourages the participation of each individual within a group on a regular basis. This concept has been explained, and proven that it is important in the PBL class, as it applies to group process and learning. It is a vital component to teamwork in the nursing profession, and as a member of the health care team. It is important to remember that in any team, “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts”. (Campbell, 2003, p.201.).

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