Teamwork blog
Teamwork is often a crucial part of a business, as it is often necessary for colleagues to work well together, trying their best in any circumstance. Teamwork means that people will try to cooperate, using their individual skills and providing constructive feedback, despite any personal conflict between individuals.
There are many scenario’s in which I have worked within a team and been successful. These include mainly sports teams, although recently I have been working in teams at University in order to complete tasks and assignments. During an assignment I was assigned to a team and the objective was to create an event/function for a charity and to raise at least £150. In order to be successful the team knew we had to delegate positions within the team and co-operate where necessary. By the end of the event the team had attained more than the £150 target and we were very successful based on the return and the grades/marks the team had received for the assignment. In relation to theory there are five stages which new teams should follow in order to be successful these are:
- The polite stage;
- The why are we here, what are we doing stage;
- The power stage, which dominate will emerge ;
- The constructive stage when sharing begins; and
- The unity stage, where the team eats and talks together.
Available from: http://www.the-happy-manager.com/teamwork-theory.html
This is the basis that was similarly followed which ultimately led to a successful team.
Tuckmans Theory
Singh, K. (2009) says Tuckmans theory which was first developed in 1965, suggests that a group must go through different stages. Each stage has a task related or maintenance related issue in which a group must overcome to become successful. Tuckman suggests that there are four stages which permanent groups must go through, however there are five groups which temporary groups must go through. The first four stages are the same for both types of groups however for the temporary group the fifth stage is the disbanding of the group as they have achieved the goal. The 5 stages are:
Forming, this is the first stage where the individuals have not fully become a group but are starting to get to know one another and what their role in the team will be. This is also a good chance for the individuals to get to know colleagues and each member’s strengths and weaknesses. Secondly storming, this is the most difficult stage which a team must go through as this can make or break a team, at this stage the individuals will see themselves as part of a team but will start to question other members about how the team is doing and what they should be doing, this is due to difference in opinions and conflict could arise which could inevitably lead members to leave the team.
Norming, this is the stage where the team has dealt with the conflict and starts to become a group and each member understands their role of the group as well as team rules which are in place to reduce conflict within the group. Once each member agrees to the rules and ways of how tasks will be done then there is a sense of togetherness within the group. After this is performing which is where the group come together to work as an effective team to complete tasks and goals that have been set and also relationships and understandings grow with one another. The final stage for temporary groups is adjourning only as now the task has been done they would no longer need to be part of the team and the group would disband.
In relation to our team for the first assignment for people and organisation, If I was to link the group to the Tuckman theory then I think we were all at the performing stage as we kind of knew each other, there was no conflict as we all knew what we had to do and we agreed on how to go about doing it. So therefore the group progressed through each stage and the relationship throughout was good this ultimately led to a successful team as in the end the team received a good mark/grade which effectively proved the relationship of the team was excellent.
Two companies who have mentioned that team work was a major contributor to their success are boots opticians and P3 the charity.
Boots have mentioned that they hold regular team working activities which give staff a balance between the home life and work life which reduces stress and encourages them to work harder and concentrate more. A bonus scheme makes team wants to work together as a strong unit and colleague go and help each other to get the job done which is very useful within the organisation and shows a strong family like bond within teams. Staffs have also said that they find it fun to work with teams and this shows that they are not overly stressed.
P3 have said that team work has been essential as teams have said that they love working for P3 due to the fact that senior management teams listen to what they have to say. This shows them that they are valued and shows appreciation and a good, strong and friendly bond between employees and employers. The team leaders also spend more time with their teams so that they have full support and supervision so that they are aware of how they are doing and have someone to talk to if they are unaware of what is required. This would reduce the chance of errors and employees will be confident to talk to the team leader as they are friendly and want to help. This would then lead to the jobs that are required to be done being completed.
Reference List
Tuckman’s stages of group development [online] Available from: http://www.the-happy-manager.com/teamwork-theory.html [Accessed on 13th April 2011]
People Potential Possibilities [Online] Available from: http://www.p3charity.com/ [Accessed on 13th April 2011]
Top 100 Companies to work for [Online] Available from: http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/career_and_jobs/best_100_companies/ [Accessed on 13th April 2011]
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