Teams in the Workplace

​Teams in the Workplace

Team Structure

The structure of a team can be formal or informal.

A formal team is one that comes together for a specific purpose and has an appointed leader. An example is a marketing team created for the specific purpose of promoting the business’ products.

An informal team is one that is usually made up of volunteers and may be considered a social group. A volleyball team that plays on the weekend is an example. The leader of an informal group may be elected by its members or may be a person who volunteers for the position.

Multiple Choice

Student Council is an example of...

• An Informal Team

• A Formal Team

Multiple Choice

A group that meets up for lunch everyday is...

• An Informal Team

• A Formal Team

Team Roles: Leader

Teams usually have a leader that is either appointed or elected. Leaders are those who guide others to a goal. They help bring organization and focus to a team. A leader has to be able to take responsibility, make decisions, and inspire members to accomplish tasks.

Being in a leadership position is not always an easy job. Some team members can be easy to work with, but others can be difficult. Leaders have to be able to work with different personalities and motivate the group to accomplish its goals. Each leader has his or her style or may develop a style based on the team.

Open Ended

What is an example of a good leader you have had in your life? What made them a good leader? (Write at least 3 complete sentences.)

Team Roles: Team Member

Effective teams are those who accomplish the defined goals. This can only happen when the members are cooperative and focused on assigned tasks. Effective team members are individuals who contribute ideas and demonstrate a strong work ethic.

Effective team members possess soft skills. Soft skills are the personal skills used to communicate and work well with others. Examples of soft skills are interpersonal skills and time-management skills.

Multiple Choice

Which person would be the best team member for a school project?

• Someone who makes sure they do enough to get a passing grade.

• Someone who works well with others and achieves their goals.

Open Ended

Do you like working in groups? Why or why not? What do you think you could do to have a better experience working with a group in the future? (Answer with at least 3 sentences.)

Soft Skills:
Interpersonal

Interpersonal skills are traits you rely on when you interact and communicate with others. They cover a variety of scenarios where communication and cooperation are essential.

These skills involve the ability to communicate and build relationships with others. Often called people skills, they tend to incorporate both your innate personality traits and how you’ve learned to handle certain social situations. Effective interpersonal skills can help you during the job interview process and can have a positive impact on your career advancement.

Multiple Choice

What is one way interpersonal skills could help you in your future career?

• You'll do better in interviews and interacting with coworkers.

• You'll be better accomplishing goals independently.

Soft Skills:
Critical Thinking

Critical-thinking skills are the ability to interpret and make reasonable judgements and decisions by analyzing the situation. Then, you can apply a solution so that you can take productive actions.

Applying critical-thinking skills in a team situation can help the group problem-solve in a more efficient manner.

Multiple Choice

What is an example of critical thinking?

• Following instructions.

• Evaluating evidence.

Soft Skills:
Listening

Hearing refers to the sounds that enter your ears. It is a physical process that, provided you do not have any hearing problems, happens automatically.

Listening, however, requires more than that: it requires focus and concentrated effort, both mental and sometimes physical as well. Listening means paying attention not only to the story, but how it is told, the use of language and voice, and how the other person uses his or her body. Your ability to listen effectively depends on the degree to which you perceive and understand these messages.

Multiple Choice

Which one looks like the best listener?

Open Ended

Think of a time when someone wasn't really listening to you. Why did you feel they weren't listening? How did it make you feel?

Soft Skills:
Collaboration

Collaboration skills are being able to work with others to achieve a common goal. This includes sharing ideas and compromising when the greater good of the team is at stake.

To compromise is to give up an individual idea so that the group can come to a solution.

Collaboration and compromise are two important skills to learn in the workplace.

Multiple Choice

Which is an example of collaboration?