Effective Teamwork in a
Workplace
BY:DR NNAJI AZUKA NWANDO
FOR:PRESTON HEALTHCARE CONSULTING LTD.
DATE: 25TH NOVEMBER, 2016

Outline
 Introduction
 Objectives
 Definition of Terms
 Aspects of effective team work
 Summary
 Conclusion

Introduction

Quotable quotes
 “There are no problems we can not solve together, and very few
that we can solve by ourselves” – President Lyndon Johnson.
 “Individuals play the game, but teams win championships”.
 “United we stand but divided we fall”.
 “People have been known to achieve more as a result of working
with others and not against them”

Objectives
… differences between teamwork and collaboration.
… characteristics of an effective team.
… factors influencing team work and its effectiveness.
… approaches to improve team effectiveness.
… benefits of teamwork.
… apply their knowledge to practical situations

Definition of Terms
 Team
 Team work
 Collaboration

What is a team?
 Is a group of two or
more persons working
together in sympathetic
resonance to achieve a
set goal

What is teamwork?
Team work is when two or
more people work together
cohesively, towards a common
goal, creating a positive working
atmosphere, and supporting
each other to combine
individual strengths to enhance
team performance.

What is Collaboration?
 Collaboration is a process that requires relationship
and interaction between professionals regardless of
whether or not they perceive themselves as part of a
team

Differences between Team work and
Collaboration
TEAMWORK
Has a defined and same goal
 Is itself affected by collaboration
 Rarely happens without
collaboration
 Can be considered a form of
collaboration
COLLABORATION
 May have different goals in mind
 Affects and enhances team work
 Can take place whether or not
professionals consider themselves
to be part of a team

Aspects of Teamwork
 Pre-requisites for teamwork
 Characteristics of teamwork
members
 Characteristics of teamwork
 Components of team work
 Effectiveness of a team
 Factors that promote
teamwork
 Essential skills for teamwork
 Benefits of teamwork

Pre-requisites for Teamwork
I You
+ -
- -
- +
+ +

Characteristics of Teamwork members
 Mutual dependence
 Collaborate for deliverables
 Benefit from working collaboratively
 Share information which may lead to shared decision
 Know when team work should be used to optimize results.

Characteristics of effective Team
 Production of high quality product
 Viability (Ability of team members to continue to work
together in the future
 Improved well-being and professional growth of
members.

Components of Teamwork
 Positive Corporate Culture
 Give recognition
 Positive Feedback
 Provide new Opportunities

Effectiveness of a Team
 What is the task of a team
 What are the specific features that distinguish a team
 What is the composition of a team (size, age, gender)
 What process exist to enhance team work
(communication and co-ordination

Effectiveness of a Team (cont.…)
 What are the psychosocial traits of a team (norms and
cohesion)
 What is the organizational context in which team exists
(setting, resources, leadership)
 What is the social and policy context related to teams
(systemic factors

Factors that promote Teamwork
 Good leadership
 Clear communication
 Common goal
 Defined responsibilities
 Conflict resolution
 Support
 Remain positive
 Not gender/age/ race
sensitive

Essential Skills for Teamwork
 Listening
 Questioning
 Persuading
 Respecting
 Helping
 Sharing
 Participating

Benefits of Teamwork
 Fosters Creativity and Learning
 Blends Complementary Strengths
 Builds Trust
 Teaches Conflict Resolution Skills
 Improves client satisfaction
 Promotes a Wider Sense of
Ownership
 Encourages Healthy Risk-Taking.
 Reduces work load
 Reduces staff shortages
 Reduces stress and burnout amongst
workers

Summary
 Effective teamwork to enhance productivity can only be achieved
when all the levels within the work place work in synchrony.
Workers need to understand the processes required for
collaboration and share a common understanding of the notions of
“team” and “team work.”
 Organization and management structures must be in place to
support teamwork through policy, infrastructure and framework.

Conclusion
The understanding of “team” and practice of “team work” is yet to
be a reality in our work places.
If professionals are expected to work in teams, their orientation
must prepare them to do so or else they will continue to work in
status quo work environments (collaborations rather than
teamwork)

Achieving the ?impossible

Sky is the limit

Thanks listening