Team and Team player
Being part of a team can make working an enjoyable experience. As they say, the sum is greater than its parts. We can achieve more when we work together. Being part of a team allows us to:
We need to be committed to make teamwork successful. Each team member has a role and responsibilities. Each of us relies on others to do their part.
Think of a team as a chain; one broken link can break the whole chain. A good team player is a team member who commits and contributes to the success of the team.
Communication in a team
To be able to fulfil the team commitment, we need to know what our roles and responsibilities are, and what is expected of us. Good communication can help the team get together and work efficiently.
Let’s look at Chuck and his team.
Chuck: I plan to have a presentation here on Friday morning to convince the client to go ahead with our proposal.
Jeff: What are you going to present in the meeting Chuck?
Chuck: That’s a good question Jeff. I’ve been thinking about it. I have a list here. Let’s see, ah Bill. I need all the past six-month’s sales figures. Will you be able to give them to Debbie this morning?
Bill: Hmm, I already have the past six-month’s sales figures somewhere on my computer. I suppose I can put them together quickly for you Chuck. I’ll give Debbie a copy on disk. Is that okay?
Chuck: That’s great. Debbie, can you then make me a chart from those figures?
Debbie: Yes, what kind of chart are you thinking about, Chuck? Bar chart? Pie chart? Or line chart.
Chuck: I quite like the pie chart.
Bill: Sorry to jump in Chuck, but I really think the bar chart would be better. They’re much easier to read.
Jeff: You know – it’s not that hard to create both of them. Then we can compare and see which one works best.
Chuck: That’s a good idea Jeff.
Debbie: I’m not sure I know how to convert one chart to the other.
Jeff: Don’t worry Debbie, I can show you how to do that.
Chuck: Great, can I have a look at them this afternoon?
Debbie: Sure.
Chuck: Okay, let me recap here. Bill – you’ll give the past six-month’s sales figures to Debbie on a disk this morning.
Bill: Yes Chuck.
Chuck: And from those figures, Debbie and Jeff, you’ll create a bar chart and a pie chart, so we can see which one works better, and it should be ready this afternoon?
Debbie: We’ll try our best Chuck.
Chuck and his team are working together to create a presentation. Can you see how each team player with various backgrounds, can contribute to the team’s success?
Bill: Sorry to jump in Chuck, but I really think the bar chart would be better. They’re much easier to read.
Bill comes up with a suggestion, which may enhance the presentation.
Jeff: You know – it’s not that hard to create both of them. Then we can compare and see which one works best.
With Jeff’s software knowledge, the team can make up two charts for a comparison.
Debbie: I’m not sure I know how to convert one chart to the other.
Jeff: Don’t worry Debbie, I can show you how to do that.
Debbie will have a chance to learn these new software skills from Jeff.
As you can see, with this teamwork, we now have a better job outcome, and better sharing of knowledge and skills amongst the team players.
Giving instructions
To help his team work together efficiently, Chuck gives everyone clear instructions so the know their roles and responsibilities. Usually, and instruction should contain information about:
Let’s look at each of them. Who will be working on the job, and what are their responsibilities?
Chuck: Okay, let me recap here. Bill – you’ll give the past six-month’s sales figures to Debbie on a disk this morning.
Bill: Yes Chuck.
Chuck: And from those figures, Debbie and Jeff, you’ll create a bar chart and a pie chart, so we can see which one works better, and it should be ready this afternoon?
Debbie: We’ll try our best Chuck.
What needs to be done?
When is it expected to be done by?
Where should the job be done?
Where can we get resources?
Chuck: I plan to have a presentation here on Friday morning to convince the client to go ahead with our proposal.
Bill: Hmm, I already have the past six-month’s sales figures somewhere on my computer. I suppose I can put them together quickly for you Chuck. I’ll give Debbie a copy on disk. Is that okay?
Why does the job need to be done?
How should the job be done?
Apart from knowing what information we should include in our instructions, we need to know how to present them.
Here are a few tips:
Receiving instructions
When receiving instructions, we should make sure we can understand and can follow the instructions successfully. Debbie, Jeff and Bill use active listening and listening feedback, and speaking and questioning skill to help them understand Chuck’s instructions.
Can you see how?
In this topic, we’ve learned that a good team player commits to their roles and responsibilities in the team and makes efforts to contribute to the success of the team.
When giving instructions, we should make sure that our instructions contain information about;
When receiving instructions, we should use active listening and listening feedback, and speaking and questioning skill.
