Teambuilding and Team Development

Teambuilding

• Teambuilding is about improving groups to become productive and effective teams.
• Synergy is where "one plus one equals more" as a result of teamwork, and the collaboration of participants.

The Nature of Teams

• Teams are the building blocks of organizations.
• A team is different from a group, having a shared purpose.
• Teams can function globally without ever meeting in person.
• Teams meet needs at many levels, including social and emotional needs.
• Informal teams can be equally, or more, important than formal teams.
• Teams are dynamic, developing over time.

Team Development

• Teams progress through stages (forming, storming, norming, performing, disbanding).
• Forming involves initial cautious team member interaction.
• Storming is about establishing a team identity.
• Norming is when agreement on team strategies, systems, and structures is reached.
• Performing focuses on the team delivering results exceeding individual contributions.
• Disbanding is the team's conclusion.

Teamwork

• Teamwork is a valuable workplace experience.
• Sharing is important for strong teams, including sharing information, ideas, and feelings.
• Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness, in strong teams.
• Appreciating, accepting, and acknowledging other team members are keys to successful collaboration.

Team Cohesion

• Cohesive teams have strong ties among members.
• Team type, size, structure, interaction, and affinity influence cohesiveness.
• Team size and structure can impact team dynamics.

Threats to Teamwork

• Individualism, where individual needs take precedence over the team's needs.
• Stars who are over-focused on self-promotion.
• Passengers who expect to receive benefits without contributing to the team.
• Gender-based distinctions in team dynamics and expectations may impact cohesiveness.
• Cultural influences (Western individualism vs. other cultures valuing teamwork) can affect a team's ability.
• Unresolved conflict between team members.
• Lack of appropriate reward systems for the team can negatively affect performance.

Team Leaders

• Team leaders are essential for team success, enabling the team to perform tasks effectively and meet goals.
• Leaders fulfill diverse roles: task management, team development, and individual support.
• Strong leaders have the ability to direct, inspire and motivate members.
• Successful leadership is often about a balance between concerns for tasks, individuals, and the team's needs.
• A leader's style must be appropriate to the particular team, its members, and its stage of development.

Team Roles

• Essential tasks are handled effectively when individual roles are properly identified and utilized.
• The Co-ordinator guides team activities.
• The Go-fer handles tasks and errands.
• Relaters are dedicated to maintaining positive team atmosphere.
• Mavericks are open to diverse viewpoints; challenging convention.
• Observers provide valuable insights and perspectives on the team's dynamics.
• Checkers are important for structure and order.
• Moralists uphold team values and standards.
• Winners are motivated toward team success.
• Leaders inspire and motivate the team.

Team Meetings

• Meetings are essential but can falter if improperly conducted or managed.
• Factors like participation level, planning, and goal clarity play a vital role in the outcome of a meeting.
• Effective meetings are crucial to team success, promoting efficiency, knowledge, and decisions.

From Unshared Certainty to Shared Uncertainty

• Team development progresses through stages based on team member interactions.
• From initial reliance on individual needs of team members to interdependence where the team's needs take priority over individual concerns.
• The development of a team is marked by different degrees of connection and collaboration, going from low levels of interdependence to high levels when team members act as a whole.

Teambuilding Exercises

• Exercises are helpful development tools that are used to develop/increase the team spirit, and cohesiveness in groups.
• Types include icebreakers, team exercises, and competitive games, and include adventure exercises.

Web Resources on Teambuilding

• This section provides online resources for further study on teambuilding, including e-courses, manuals, and workshop plans.

Explore the fundamental concepts of teambuilding and the dynamics of team development. This quiz covers the stages teams go through, such as forming, storming, norming, performing, and disbanding, as well as the importance of synergy in achieving effective collaboration. Test your understanding of how teams function and evolve over time.