Teamwork
Building a team is a deliberate process. It involves a number of
specific skills and strategies organizations should know. Many of
these concepts are basic and you may already have. But, each team
is unique, so don't hesitate to adjust, expand, or modify them to
fit your partnership needs.
Stress Management. A partnership is a
continuous and close relationship with people you don't always
like. No organization will be a constant joy. It may add work to
your already busy life. Stress management can help you make it
through those off days.
Communication. Communication may be the most
important skill a leader can have. Almost every benefit and pitfall
in a team arises from communication or lack thereof.
Problem solving. One of the main functions of a
team is for members to help each other solve problems, current or
potential. Many techniques are available to help with this skill to
formulate ideas and make decisions based on the best solution.
Diversity awareness. As your organization
becomes more diverse, understanding cultural differences is crucial
to good communication and trust.
Guiding principles to effective teamwork
- Effective teams are built on trust, openness and mutual
concern. It is more than coordination, planning,
strategies, and tactics.
- Lasting organizations need a leader - someone
who has been given the role of bringing the organization to life
and keeping the fires burning.
- Effective teams need a "champion" - a person
who sees how university can benefit from their efforts and will
help enroll members in the organization's vision.
- Successful teams generally develop in order to
accomplish a specific vision or task. An
organization that forms just to form will usually end in failure.
Form always follows function.
- Effective teams should have limited, achievable
objectives in the beginning and become more expansive as
the organization succeeds. These objectives should capture the
significance and mission of the organization.
- Effective teams start by identifying needs
among the people that are to be reached or served. In consideration
of these needs and available resources, realistic priorities can be
set.
- Teamwork is a process not an event. The
stages, from start-up, exploration, and formation, often may take a
long time. Consider this while planning to avoid burn out and the
possibility of hurting the team.
- Effective teams are even more challenging to maintain
than to start. Making sure the vision stays alive, the
focus clear, communications are good, and outcomes fulfilling takes
great concentration and commitment.
- Successful teams are made up of clear identities and
vision. They must have their own clear mission statements
and live by them. Otherwise, there will be a lack of understanding
of how they "fit in", contribute to the university, or benefits
from their efforts.
- Lasting organizations acknowledge, even celebrate,
their differences in themselves. But, ultimately,
concentrate on what you have in common, like
vision and values.