Working in Teams

1
Working in Teams

• A brief introduction to teams
• and teamwork
• Corinne Weisgerber, Ph.D.
• cweisgerber_at_rice.edu

2
Importance of Team Skills

• Sample of Required Job Qualifications
• Ability to work effectively in a
  multi-disciplinary team setting
• Ability to work with moderate supervision on
  multidisciplinary teams is desired
• Possess good communication (oral and written)
  skills and be able to work well in a team
  environment
• Must be a team player

3
Advantages of Team Work

• Teams outperform their best member ?
• of the time.
• Especially if composed of
• competent
• motivated
• diverse
• trained individuals
• Michaelsen, L.K., Watson, W. E., Black, R.
  H. (1989)

4
What is a Team?

• A diverse group of people who
• share leadership responsibilities
• work towards a mutually defined goal
• are interdependent
• work within the context of a larger group or
  system
• have created an identity

5
Model of a 3 Person Team
Lumdsen, G, Lumdsen, D (1993)
6
Task Maintenance Functions of a Team

• Task Functions
• Interactions that focus on accomplishing the task
  (giving seeking info, evaluating, elaborating,
  etc.)
• Maintenance Functions
• Interactions that focus on the relationships
  between members (establishing norms, gatekeeping,
  supporting, etc.)

7
The Successful Team
Accomplishes team goals by balancing task
maintenance functions through effective
communication.
8
The Successful Team

• Makes decisions collectively
• Collaborates
• Appreciates conflict or differences
• Balances participation
• Stays focused on goals
• Engages in open communication
• Supports each other
• Creates team spirit

Adapted from Aldridge, M. D., Lewis, P. M.
(1997)
9
Some Practical Tips

• Take time to figure out your task/goal
• Make sure everyone is clear about it
• Plan how you will reach your goal
• Make sure roles norms are understood
• Plan ahead
• Help each other meet group goals