Teamwork in the workplace

Schedule Organizing

Team – a group of people who work together to complete certain tasks and achieve particular goals. As soon as there is more than one person working on a given task or towards a common goal, a team is formed. There is no upper limit of people for a team, but when a group becomes larger it may be called a “department”. Some sources state that more than 12 people in a team makes it unmanageable, as the decision making is left to a few and others tend to take a back seat.

Within teams there are people with various strengths and abilities. A team is successful when these attributes are well combined.

Goals – the dictionary defines this word as: “the aims or purposes towards which effort is directed”.

If goals are set realistically, the level of performance is lifted. Often in your personal life you will say things like the following:

• I would like to finish reading that book by Friday
• On Wednesday of next week, I must tidy my bookcase
• Tonight I am going to write a letter to may friend in Rome
• This time next year I am going to Bali for a holiday
• In three years’ time I will have saved enough money to buy a new car

 There are things really want to do and will work hard to achieve. The above goals are both short- and long-term in their timeframe. Short-term goals generally take between a few months and a year to achieve, and long-term goals are achievable within two or more years.

Team goals

In a work situation, you immediately become a member of team. Each person has his or her own area of responsibility, as described in the duty statement or job description. Management distributes various duties to staff so that the goals of the organization are reached on a daily or long-term basis. It is important that you know your responsibilities and play your part in completing the tasks which are assigned to you.

The setting of goals should:

• Lead to higher performance
• Allow team members to attempt more difficult tasks
• Lead to higher goals being set (if team members participate in the goal setting)
• Result in better performance (not simply goal attainment)
• Give greater job satisfaction
• Be clear, challenging and relevant to the purpose
• Define clear roles for the team members
• Assist in the attainment of the organization’s profit-making expectations

 To work successfully in team, each member should:

• Respect the skills and expertise others
• Have clear guidelines and a list of tasks and goals for the work entrusted to him or her
• Share the decision-making process
• Contribute to the quality of decisions made
• Encourage all points of view
• Seek solution to problem
• Contribute to a positive team spirit
• Etc

 Team goals are set in order to improve quality, output, standards, service and performance by using the team’s combined expertise and commitment to the goals

Time ad resources to complete tasks

Take time to analyse the steps involved in completing tasks. Make sure each stage is manageable within a given timeline. Plan to do things in the order of their importance. This is called “prioritizing” and is an important element of time management.

In work situation you will be given tasks to complete within given timelines. The effective use of time will increase you value to the organization. Learn to do the right thing at the right time, with reference to its priority.

“Plan your work and work your plan” is good advice. Writing down you commitments is a useful organization tool.