Working Successfully with Others

2. Working Successfully with Others Developing Business Practice –302LON Unit: 2Knowledgecast: 2

3. Module Learning Outcomes In this Knowledgecast, we will: • Analyse a range of learning styles and the factors that influence successful study. • Evaluate current academic, self-marketing and personal skills and present a plan for developing skills • Demonstrate a critical understanding of the importance of independence in learning and the need for a ‘growth’ mindset

4. Module Overview

5. Why is working with others important? • QAA Core Skill (team-working skills) • Required academic competency • Critical international business skill highly valued by employers • Organisations use Traditional and Virtual Team formats

6. 5 Stages of Team Development FORMING STORMING NORMING PERFORMING ‘These terms endeavour to capture the energy of movement, progress, regress and resolution in the life of groups. The development of groups is crucial in order to arrive at the optimal stage for work’. Connolly (2008:80) • Team has usually just formed • Or, has undergone changes to its membership or objectives • Expectations have not been fully met • Differences become apparent • Dissatisfaction with authority or goals • Experimenting with respect, trust and the “greater good” of team • The calm after the storm • Comfort with and respect for the team • Know why and what it is doing • Pure focus on results Based on Tuckman and Jensen (1977) ADJOURNING

7. 5 Stages of Team Development FORMING STORMING NORMING PERFORMING • Polite • Impersonal • Guarded • Watchful • Confronting people • Dealing with conflict • Opting out ‘not for me’ • Lose team members • Getting organised • Developing skills • Establishing systems and procedures • Tackling challenges • Getting Feedback • Closeness/friendship • Flexible • Supportive and trusting • Sharing ideas • Tolerant of members Based on Tuckman and Jensen (1977) ADJOURNING

8. The Ideal Team Source: Mullins (2010:343)

9. 5 Factors for Successful Team Working • Clear and shared goals • Agreed ways of working • Effective communication • Support and cooperation • Regular review of progress

10. Behaviours That Help Team Tasks • Clarifying what you are trying to achieve (and how) • Giving and finding relevant information • Proposing and developing ideas • Taking responsibility for actions • Summarising and reviewing progress • Time keeping

11. Behaviours That Help Team Working • Encouraging others to contribute • Agreeing with and rewarding contributions • Checking understanding • Resolving conflict positively • Dealing with negative and disruptive people • Praising team progress

12. Unhelpful Behaviours in Teams • Talking too much • Reacting emotionally • Attacking other’s points of view • Not listening or interrupting others • Chatting about other matters • Introducing red herrings • Withdrawing from the group

13. Good Team Communication 1. Setting ground rules • Agree what is acceptable • Agree what is not acceptable • Regularly review your ground rules

14. Good Team Communication 2. Giving praise and feedback • The feedback sandwich (Positive, negative, positive) • Focus on behaviour • Give specific examples

15. Good Team Communication 3. Understanding diversity in teams • Recognise different experiences and expectations • Value and understand the differences • Use your ground rules to keep on track

16. Good Team Communication 4. Maximise your use of 21st century learning technologies • Plan • Research • Communicate • Collaborate

17. Managing Group Work • Agree your ground rules • Create your action plan with sub-tasks, deadlines and responsibilities • Write down what’s been agreed • Regularly review progress • Deal with anyone not pulling their weight as a team

18. What are we going to cover next? • In our next Knowledgecast, we will look at: • Analyse a range of learning styles and the factors that influence successful study • Evaluate current academic, self marketing and personal skills and present a plan for the development of academic skills • Use programme and module information to develop a personalised academic strategy

19. Knowledgecast Summary In this Knowledgecast, we have: • Analyse a range of learning styles and the factors that influence successful study. • Discussed the factors required for successful team working in an academic and business context • Evaluate current academic, self-marketing and personal skills and present a plan for developing skills • Outlined a range of effective communication techniques to use within a team environment • Demonstrate a critical understanding of the importance of independence in learning and the need for a ‘growth’ mindset • Discovered how learning technologies can be used to enhance your performance in your programme of study

21. Seminar • Exploring theories of motivation • Applying our understanding of motivation to study and the workplace • Using SMART objectives to focus and maintain your motivation

22. Group Activity • Your best learning experience • Complete an academic skills audit • Revisit your learning journal

23. Your Best Learning Experience