Futureleaders Training:
Teamwork
Trainer: Sam Obeng-Dokyi
09 September 2014
Purpose & objectives
2
Purpose
Objectives of teamwork
The purpose of this training session is training
to:
a) Provide an overview of the
Futurebuilders programme to
participants including programme
structure, timetable and overall aims
b)Provide participants with an
understanding of the concept of
teamwork and why it is important to
their development as prospective board
members.
Explain and discuss the following:
What teamwork means
•Why have teams
•Characteristics of teamwork
•Examples and exercises
•Teamwork skills
•Ways to achieve teamwork
•Q & A.
www.olmec-ec.org.uk
Programme overview
3
Aim: To equip you with the knowledge base and skills-set needed to become
an effective board member.
Session 1
Teamwork
Session 2
Working in communities/focus groups and safeguarding issues
Session 3
Negotiation skills
Session 4
Assertiveness
Session 5
Public speaking
Session 6
Equalities &human rights
Session 7
Meeting skills and conduct
Session 8
What is a board? How do boards work?
Session 9
Board skills in practice: decision making, legal and strategic responsibilities,
applying for a role etc
Session10
Futureleaders Dragon’s Den: Mock board exercises and feedback
www.olmec-ec.org.uk
Teamwork
4
Teamwork involves working
confidently within a group,
contributing your own ideas
effectively, taking a share of the
responsibility, being assertive rather than passive or
aggressive, accepting and
learning from constructive
criticism and giving positive,
constructive feedback to others.
www.olmec-ec.org.uk
Why have teams?
5

Shared responsibility- the team can accomplish much more in less time

Advantages that come with diverse individuals working together -apply a
mix of skills that go beyond the scope of any one individual

Higher creativity and productivity

Tackling difficult and complex issues

It enables mutual support and learning, and can generate a sense of
belonging and commitment.
www.olmec-ec.org.uk
Teamwork in non profit organisations
6
Voluntary organisations and charities face complex
challenges. They:

constantly have to adapt to changes in government policy

have a culture of participation and democratic forms of decision making

need to consider the views of multiple stakeholders and service users

attract trustees, employees and volunteers who often have strong and
passionate views

are particularly vulnerable to resource scarcity.
Arguably good teamwork is even more important in the non
profit sector.
www.olmec-ec.org.uk
Teamwork characteristics
7
Good teamwork involves:

Common/shared objectives

Willing participation

Shared responsibilities

Open discussion of disagreement and conflicts

Clarity of roles and relationships

Valued contributions.
www.olmec-ec.org.uk
Teamwork skills
8

Listening -it is important to listen to other people’s ideas

Discussing - it is important to discuss your ideas with your
team-mates and reach an agreement

Questioning – it is important to ask questions, interact, and
discuss the objectives of the team

Persuading – individuals are encouraged to exchange, defend
and ultimately rethink their ideas
www.olmec-ec.org.uk
Teamwork skills
9
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Respecting – it is important to treat others with respect and
to support their ideas
Helping – it is crucial to help team-mates; this is the general
theme that underpins teamwork
Sharing – it is important to share with the team to create an
enabling environment
Participation – all members of the team are encouraged to
participate in the team
Communication – For a team to work effectively, team-mates
need to acquire communication skills and use effective
communication channels between them.
www.olmec-ec.org.uk
Group roles
10
Some common group roles are as follows:

ENCOURAGER - Energises groups when motivation is low through humour
or through being enthusiastic

COMPROMISER - Tries to maintain harmony among the team members

LEADER -Good leaders direct the sequence of steps the group takes and
keep the group "on-track“

SUMMARISER/CLARIFIER -Calm, reflective individuals who summarise
the group's discussion and conclusions. They clarify group objectives and
elaborate on the ideas of others
www.olmec-ec.org.uk
Group roles
11

IDEAS PERSON -suggests new ideas to solve group problems
or suggests new ways for the group to organise the task

EVALUATOR -help the group to avoid coming to agreement
too quickly

RECORDER - keeps the group focused and organised. They
make sure that everyone is helping with the project.
www.olmec-ec.org.uk
Making teamwork ‘work’ for you
12

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Keep the common goal in mind
Be open minded
Be clear about your role
Participate
Take time to get to know each of your team mates
Use "we" language
Don’t be the dominating one
Respect your team-mates
Don’t forget to have fun.
www.olmec-ec.org.uk
Key questions
13
If you want to be a good team player, make sure you
understand the group's goals. Ask key questions like:

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Why are we here?
What is the 'perfect ending' to this project?
What is our deadline?
How often will we meet?
What is our budget?
Who is in charge of implementing our ideas?
What roles and responsibilities will each of us have?
www.olmec-ec.org.uk
Dysfunctional team roles
14
Destructive or selfish group roles to avoid!
Being aggressive
Being sarcastic or cynical
Blocking or nit-picking
Blaming
Competing
Taking all the credit
Clowning or joking to disrupt
Dominating
the work of the group
Manipulating
Withdrawing
Help seeker- looking for
Avoiding tasks or refusing to
sympathy from others
focus on agreed tasks.
Showing off.
www.olmec-ec.org.uk
Purpose & objectives
15
Purpose
Objectives of teamwork
The purpose of this training session is training
to:
a) Provide an overview of the
Futurebuilders programme to
participants including programme
structure, timetable and overall aims
b)Provide participants with an
understanding of the concept of
teamwork and why it is important to
their development as prospective board
members.
Explain and discuss the following:
What teamwork means
•Why have teams
•Characteristics of teamwork
•Examples and exercises
•Teamwork skills
•Ways to achieve teamwork
•Q & A.
www.olmec-ec.org.uk
Q&A
Further reading
17
1.
KnowHow Non-Profit: The importance of teams
http://knowhownonprofit.org/people/teams/about-teams-and-types-ofteam/importance
2.
Mindtools: Teambuilding exercises
http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMM_52.htm
3.
4.
Successful teamwork: A case study by Pina Tarricone [email protected]
and Joe Luca [email protected]
Characteristics of Effective Teamwork; by George N. Root III, Demand Media
http://smallbusiness.chron.com/characteristics-effective-teamwork-691.html
www.olmec-ec.org.uk