Part 3
Team Working
This section focuses on the core processes of working in teams, identifying the key elements of team working and providing guidance for ensuring that the team is functioning effectively. It explores the elements that make up the dance of teams and the positive and negative impact of different processes such as setting objectives and conflict. The priority task is to ensure that the team has a clear and appropriate direction – a team vision – an inspiring statement of its purpose which is then carefully translated into clear objectives. This is the subject of Chapter 6.
Chapter 7 explores what it means to be a team player, exploring the importance of interacting with other team members, sharing information and influencing decision making. Interaction is about frequent and useful contacts; leading to sharing of useful information; and finally to the development of effective team decision making that draws on the relevant knowledge, skills and abilities of all team members. This chapter also identifies some of the obstacles to good teamwork that are endemic in many human interactions, such as dominance, failure to listen, obsequiousness towards high-status others, and the rush to judgement. It offers practical and tested strategies for overcoming them.
Chapter 8 introduces the idea of a commitment to quality as an essential orientation for teams and explores how team members can work together to ensure that their teamwork produces high-quality and excellent outcomes. ...
