Building Effective Teams: Concepts and Benefits
Teamwork Definition
A group of people working in a coordinated manner in the execution of a project.
The 5 Cs of Teamwork
- Complementarity
- Commitment
- Confidence
- Effective Communication
- Coordination
Advantages for Individuals in Teamwork
- Less tension
- Shared responsibility
- Rewarding
- Economic incentives and shared recognition
Benefits of Teamwork for Organizations
- Quality work
- Commitment
- Efficiency
- More knowledge and information
- New ways of addressing problems
- Better comprehension in decision-making
- Several points of view
- Greater acceptance of solutions
Differences: Group Work vs. Teamwork
Group Work
- People do similar work and share similar information
- Individual responsibility
- Each person has their own modus operandi
- Coordination is not always necessary
- Hierarchical levels exist
- Communication does not always reach consensus
- Homogeneity
- Voluntary participation
- Informal personal relations
- A leader figure is not necessary
Teamwork
- People with different tasks and different backgrounds
- Responsibility is shared among all coordinated members
- Cohesion is fundamental
- Hierarchies are dissolved
- Communication is based on trust and openness
- Heterogeneity
- Compulsory admission (usually)
- Formal relationships
- There is one leader
Factors Facilitating Teamwork
- Team spirit
- Coordination of activities
- Collaborative attitude
- Respectful behavior
- Good character
- Loyalty
- Taking responsibility
- Hard work
- Proactiveness (maverick)
- Clarity
- Cohesion
Team Objectives
Motivating, attractive, challenging, demanding, achievable.
Effectiveness and Efficiency
- Effectiveness: Ability to achieve the desired or expected effect; ability to achieve results.
- Efficiency: Ability to achieve the effect in question with the minimum of resources.
- Effectiveness (alternative definition): Ability to achieve maximum results at minimum cost.
Factors Hampering Teamwork
- Lack of communication
- Loss of trust
- Not coping with problems + decision-making
- Not being immediately aware of a problem if it is serious
- Direction not trying to know things (final surprises)
- Lack of resources
- Disgregated team
- Team united with the exception of some members
- Personal conflicts
- Problems
Negative Attitudes in Teams
- Resistance
- Continuous negation
- Constant disagreement
- Opposition to logic
- Lack of cooperation
- Obstruction
- Lapses of attention
- Isolation syndrome that emerges
Beneficial Team Behaviors
- Companionship
- Solidarity
- Knowing how to consider the team as a buffer
- Complementarity
- Coordination
- Communication
- Trust
- Commitment
- Positive reinforcement
- Compliance with deadlines
- Constant evaluation
- Re-planning
Team Development Stages
- Forming/Initiation: Optimism, analysis, observation.
- Storming/Intranquility: First difficulties, tension/friction, differences in character and personality.
- Norming/Coupling: Difficulties are overcome, progress is observed, abilities develop.
- Performing/Maturity: The team is productive, working and learning together.
Strategic Planning Basics
- Planning: What to do?
- Organization: How to do it?
- Direction: What path to follow?
- Control: How am I doing?
The Health Team Concept
A non-hierarchical association of people from different professional disciplines with a common objective, which usually provides comprehensive health care to patients and families in any setting.
Internal Health Team Dynamics
Has the capacity to collectively contribute the sum of wills, skills, and interests of all its members to provide a more efficient and effective service.
Benefits of Working in a Health Team (for Staff)
- When work is shared, it is lighter.
- Solid internal codes and links are generated.
- Multiplier effect on other teams.
- Skills are added and enhanced.
- Different points of view are available for a problem.
- Knowledge is learned and modified.
- There is team support in case of a bad outcome.