There is numerous literature available which suggests the benefits of working in groups, and there are a number of aspects that can affect group performance for example cohesion, Group member diversity, social facilitation, task type, and group motivation, however for the purpose of this essay I am going to focus on team skills training. ‘Teams skills’ are the ‘collective qualities that are instrumental to an effective team environment and overall success’ (Tenenbaum & Eklund, 2007) If we take the phrase ‘team skill’ to mean, as defined by (Pritchard, Stratford & Bizo, 2006 p.256) as ‘’the skill to work collaboratively together in order that group based activities enhance, rather than impede learning’’ then ‘team skills training’, is the necessary training in orders to enhance this. Group performance refers to the measurement of group behaviour; this can be good or bad. Within this essay I will critically discuss the advantages and disadvantages of such training, in relation to group performance, including reference to its effect on collaborative learning and groups in educational settings as well as the effects on memory and experience of workload.
The actual process that is involved in team skills training is when, ‘students work in groups on tasks reflecting upon reactions of integration and development establishing key learning points to apply to the next task’(Pritchard, Stratford & Hardy, 2004 p.11). A group may undergo team skills training in order to help students achieve better experience of team working, enabling them to transfer skills, as well as explore potential benefits for academic performance (Pritchard, Stratford & Bizo, 2006 p.9). This is important as it is the general consensus that, ‘teams out perform indi...
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The exploration of two models will show an interesting relationship when compared and contrasted. Both can increase competency levels in team building. The models are the Drexler/Sibbet Team Performance model (Human Performance Strategies) and the Four Stage Team Performance model (Developing Management Skills). When they have been used correctly they’ve been shown to improve efficiency and profitability in organizations. “Developing team skills is important because of the tremendous explosion in the use of teams in work organizations over the last decade (Developing Management Skills).” An examination of these models will show the similarities and differences they have in the context of team building.
Upon completion of these assessments, the work place team is then formed, acquiring team members based upon the needs of the project, mission or goal of the team. The team then proceeds to learn about each other. In learning about one another, individual learning styles must be identified to gain an understanding of how to maximize team performance by capitalizing on team members' strengths via learning styl...
Effective teams must be developed, not just formed. A group is not a team. Members of a group may sometimes work together, but members of a team always work together. The team need not all be in the same place to be working together. “With a group, the whole is often equal to or less than the sum of its parts; with a team, the whole is always greater” (Oakley, Brent, Felder and Elhajj, 2004). A team, as defined above, has certain characteristics that make it effective. Not all of these traits are present when a team is in the forming stage. Tea...
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A team can be defined as a small number of people with complementary skills who are committed to a common purpose, performing goals, and approach for which they hold themselves mutually accountable (Katzenbach & Smith, The Wisdom of Teams 2015). A team can also be defined as a group in which members work together intensively to achieve a common group goal (Lewis-McClear & Taylor 1998). According to the class lecture, teams can improve competitiveness, improve productivity, improve quality, provide backup for key skills, enhance
The collection of ideas, knowledge, and experience of different individuals is better than that of only one person. From problem-solving to innovation, organizations have relied on the high-performances of groups and teams to set the organization apart from the rest. Having a common goal will make each team member accountable for the success and failure of the team. Since each team member is accountable to the team, each member's behavior will have an effect on the team. To belong to a team requires that each member be clear on the goals and objectives of the team-to share a common vision. (Park, 2005) By doing so, a group can become a high-performance team.
Working in teams provides an opportunity for individuals to come together and establish a rapport towards others within a group. Teamwork is classified as people with different strengths and skills who work together to achieve a common goal. When a team works well, specific objectives are fulfilled and satisfied. Teamwork plays a crucial role in implementing and fulfilling a common goal in a team project. Each member plays a role and takes on different responsibilities combined together. In different stages of teamwork, conflicts and arguments may occur for as members have different standpoints which need to be harmonized within the team. The key to having an effective teamwork is to explore each member's unique abilities to motivate them.
Many times people forget that teamwork is a combination of the words TEAM and WORK. Which means it takes more than a combined group of people or a team, but it takes that and actions. Positivity, effective skills and effort from each group member. A good team member does their share of work in the group. equity and fairness are key in being a good team member also. A few other characteristics that help a group be successful are , positivity, complimenting other members, communication skills and fairness. By fairness I mean allowing everyone the chance to do something. This group project taught me the ability to be a team player. This is a skill needed to be successful in a group. I feel like it benefit me and my group members because normally
After a review of my performance in the assigned group, I have learned a great deal about myself and behavior in the team-setting situation. This is not the first experience in a team setting. Previous team setting experiences were conducted in sporting and recreational environments rather than academics. While the setting and the environments were indeed different, there were many commonalities and correlations between the team settings I previously experienced and the current academic team-setting experience for this academic course project. One of the traits that I had exhibited pertained to being co-operative.
Teamwork is becoming more important in the work place, because of the leaders and the fact that it allows full participation with all employees. In order to complete several different tasks, managers and supervisors usually perform teams and assign different tasks to complete one major assignment. Team work starts at the top (Smikle, 2009). When supervisors or managers are willing to administer teamwork, they are enabling the employees to follow. Managers or supervisors set good examples when they delegate tasks, but more importantly express to the employees how teamwork is productive. Employees work by example, more so now than by demands.
Skills and knowledge possessed by every member is also important for a team to become high performance. Although it is among the most important factors, however, it must be coupled with a good working relationship with every team member and good collaboration with every team member. The members who possess the good skills and wide knowledge will be a useful resource to the team if that team member can share their strengths with the other team members and vice versa. It is usually misconstrued that having skillful and intelligent team members is already enough to make a team work right. This kind of thinking is the reason why most teams, despite all of those competent members they have, fail to achieve their goals. A team should establish one common goal, not to think that way and develop a good working relationship with each member. (retrieved from: http://www.strictlysuccess.com, August 18, 2005) This can be done by self awareness exercises, like the DISC assessment and other assessments or any other kind of self awareness exercises regarding communication style differences. Then these factors and important pieces of information should be taken into full consideration before the actual project is begun. These exercise or assessments can be great ice breakers and mark the difference between a group of individuals merely assigned to a team, as opposed to functioning as...
In order for teamwork to be successful in the workplace it involves building a relationship and working with other people. The ability to work as part of a team is one of the most important skills in today’s job market. Working cooperatively and contributing to groups with ideas, and suggestions benefits everyone. A key to team effectiveness