Teamwork

Teamwork

Teamwork is the joint group effort to complete a task or accomplish a common objective or goal. Teamwork is applied in schools, sports, industrial organizations, healthcare systems, and formal working environment. Effective teamwork should be of adequate size, particularly two or more individuals. Teams need to define roles within the group, so that every individual can have a clear purpose. The level of teamwork varies from low to intermediate or high, depending on the level of interaction, collaboration, and communication. Teamwork is advantageous in that members can learn new skills and information from each other, thus enhancing interdependent workflow. Teamwork also stimulates the performance and attendance of members. However, teamwork may be time-consuming, and some members may be given less motivating roles, which could result in conflict between team members.

Effective teamwork requires some practical components, such as high interdependence among team members. Interdependence originates form open communication, increased trust, and risk-taking. Interdependence cultivates healthy group dynamics, and team members are more satisfied and efficient. Efficient teamwork also requires healthy conflict resolution, which is facilitated by open communication (Rosen, 2014). For efficient teamwork to exist, there must be clear and attainable objectives that make the team members feel motivated and accomplished. Sharing leadership roles among team members enhances accountability and shared responsibility.

Advantages of Teamwork

One advantage of a team could be that members of the team have an opportunity to teach and learn from one another. Members of the existing team contribute different ideas and abilities on how to deal with the task at hand. Members can learn different or new ways of dealing with the same task other than the old ways previously used by an individual.

Teamwork can also facilitate greater cooperation and interdependence among team members. Cooperation leads to the completion of tasks faster and can also provide social support for demanding jobs and situations (Fleming, 2016). Commitment among team members may stimulate an increase in performance and attendance. Every member of the team has the same goal and, therefore, contributes their fair share towards achieving it; hence, the sum is greater than the parts.

Disadvantages of Teamwork

Some team individuals are not compatible with teamwork. Such individuals disrupt the peace and harmony of the team and as a result, lead to difficulties in the completion of tasks assigned and also can result in internal conflicts and friction among the members. Teams may be time-consuming due to the need for coordination and collaboration. Members have to agree on the decisions made as a whole; thus communication and information exchange are facilitated. “Free-riding” within a team can also occur (Rosen, 2014) because some members of the team contribute less or do not contribute at all towards the task at hand but take credit for the work done by the team.

In conclusion, teamwork is the joint group effort to complete a task or accomplish a common objective or goal. For teamwork to be effective, there must be interdependence, open communication, shared leadership, and healthy conflict resolution. Teamwork fosters greater cooperation and interdependence among team members, which leads to the completion of tasks faster. However, teamwork may be time-consuming, and some members may be given less motivating roles, which could result in conflict between team members

References

Fleming, I. (2016). Teamworking Pocketbook. Pocketbooks.

Rosen, N. (2014). Teamwork and the bottom line: groups make a difference — psychology           Press.