Teamwork in the Workplace

Teamwork in the Workplace

Interview No.1: Terry Young, Head of Business School

Q.1 How much do you value teams in this organization?

A: Teams? Well, I think teams are absolutely essential.

Q.2 In a college such as Sligo IT, are there many advantages to using teams over individuals?

A: I suppose it depends on the tasks, but in developing course such as curriculum development you automatically need teams because it requires team effort.

Q.3 What are the strategies that are used in selecting team members in Sligo IT?

A: O.K. (Pauses for a few seconds) If it is course development, you need strategy. If it is a team for other purposes then basically strategy derives from tasks. You need to look at what your team has to do and then put together team members. Nobody is excluded at all.

Q.4 What qualities do you look for when selecting members to work as team members?

A: Variety. It's all about variety. There's absolutely no point in having a team when all the members of that team can perform the same tasks. You don't have a team of the same people.

Q.5 Do many individuals in the organization resist working within teams and if so, how does the organization help overcome this resistance?

A: (Laughs) Very few to tell you the truth. I suppose there will always be some but there are really no individuals that come to mind who would not agree to work in teams and work on their own. I suppose there is the odd loner that would want to work on his or her own (starts to laugh softly)

Q.6 In your opinion, what factors do you think motivate team members in your department?

A: (Laughs again) Leadership. This is definitely one of my jobs. I would say that you that you would have to be inclined to want constant change, be a good listener, One of the factors I would think your be important would be always trying to deal with hygiene factors. If you fix the little problems, the bigger ones won't seem so hard and difficult. If the working environment is wrong then I can't work. It's important that staff are happy in their working environment, if they are, I am.

Q.7 Would you describe the teamwork in Sligo IT successful?

A: Yes, I think its working.

Q.8 What factors do you think contribute to the success?

A: (Pauses) That's a difficult question! I suppose in the working environment most people tell me it's a good place to work. There is a very low staff turnover here so that indicates that people are very content in working here. Staff stay and don't leave. I imagine people like it here. Yes, (pauses) yes. There is a general lack of animosity. Staffs are not at each other's throats.

Q.9 Have teams ever failed within the organization?

A: I can't think of an instance. I'm not sure to tell you the truth. I'm sure they have but I haven't come across any instances. I would think it would be unusual if a team failed with this organization.

Q.10 Does this organization offer any teambuilding activities or workshops to create higher performance among staff?

A: Some... (mumbles). Certainly managing teams would receive workshops in training. I suppose that less would be needed for academics for that type of training. That would be training but not focused on a team. Typical training would be conferences, papers for conferencing, working for a PhD etc.

Q.11 Could they offer any guidelines or tips to help students prepare themselves for future roles as team members within the organization?

A: Can I personally? Mmm...Tips for students... You need to develop listening skills and communication skills. You need to understand the dynamics of groups and need to understand where limitations and dangers are. Where group think comes into play, that sort of thing can inhibit teamwork initiative. You need to be aware of your own strengths and weaknesses. You need to know who's role is who and where do you fit in.

Interview No.2 Sister Patricia, Head of Department

Q.1 How much do you value teams in this organization?

A: Well, there are a lot of teams in this organization working together so teams are very much so valued. All the time, in an institute such as Sligo IT you are working in teams. We often get outside input to help us with our teams. Over the years we have gotten immense amount of input from other organizations.

Q.2 In a college such as Sligo IT, are there many advantages to using teams over individuals?

A: You couldn't really work as individuals, you must work as a team to share the workload and fasten the process. Teamwork enables you, oh what's that word (pauses) oh yes, to empower people. Also, working as a team gives people an identity.

Q.3 What are the strategies that are used in selecting team members in Sligo IT?

A: I don't think strategies are particularly relevant. The course coordinates would work together. This is where they take special interest in students in their course and meet once or twice a week to discuss the progress of their students. There may be 10 or 11 people teaching a course, say for instance Organizational Behavior and they voluntarily work on taking an interest in students welfare.

Q.4 Do many individuals in the organization resist working within teams and if so, how does the organization help overcome this resistance?

A: In managing, training is provided. If someone doesn't want to do something you can force him or her or it will result in failure.

Q.5 In your opinion, what factors do you think motivate team members in your department?

A: Teams members...