Friday, January 6, 2012

Collaborative Teamwork

My visit to RollsRoyce plant and my interaction with the executives was very rewarding. The company believes in Teamwork and it was written all over. All employees are working toward the goals of "learning, learning, and performing." Of course the meeting was about the need for workforce with various certifications including machinist, mechanical engineers and how we need to prepare K12 students with math and science skills necessary to enter STEM fields (universities and community colleges). As I was pondering over Teamwork, I was questioning this morning:
What are the personal factors (in the Christian sense, stronghold) that hinder success of collaborative team work? ( Please note that I use the word "collaborative" and not cooperative. )

1. I may look at outward appearance instead of team's goals.
2. I may know just my task and do not care about the team's overall mission and goal.
3. I may pay attention to my own emotions about completion of task and am not empathetic.
4. I may seek my own glory (I put myself first and others second; no horizontal relationship)
5. I may fingerpoint others for failures without realizing that three other fingers are pointing toward me.
6. I want to be in control of everything about the project and about my life. I may destroy my relationship with my team members when I lose control and show impatience.
7. I have a hidden agenda and selfish motive rather than focusing on a common goal.

You may be able to add other points. So, how am I going to work with teachers and students to develop a positive learning atmosphere so that all teamwork will lead to success? Many a times, when we ask participants to do collaborative work, do we pay attention to these personal factors?

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