TeamworkA Guide to Working Better in a Group

Learning Objectives

By the end of the session the student will be able to:

• Identify the different roles present within a team

• Explain what makes a successful team• Work effectively to complete

challenges in a group

Team working involves working confidently in a group:

• Contributing ideas• Accepting constructive

criticism • Giving positive feedback

to others

The skill of working in a team will be

used in college,

university and throughout

your working life.

Team Work

Roles Within a Team

Teams will be made up of people with different personalities. People tend to adopt different ‘roles’ in group work

situations. A successful team will be a combination of people with different roles.

These roles are not always constant - one person might adopt several of these roles

during one meeting or change roles depending on what is being discussed.

Roles CompromiserTries to maintain harmony among the

team members. They will introduce people and make others feel

comfortable. They are diplomatic and may be willing to change their own

views to get a group decision.

Leader

These outgoing people keep

the group "on-track". They

are good at controlling the

situation and delegating

tasks, and have energy,

determination and

initiative.

Avoider

Refuses to focus on the task or on group

relationship problems. Often plays

with phone and is easily distracted.

Self- ConfessorUses the group as a forum to discuss personal life

Roles Ideas Person

This person suggests

original and new ideas to

solve group problems or

suggests new ways for

the group to organize the

task. They dislike

orthodoxy and are not

too concerned with

practicalities.

ButterflyKeeps jumping between topics and changing points of discussion before the team is ready.

CriticAlways sees the negative side

to any argument, but never

suggests alternatives. Puts

down the ideas of others.

Recorder

Keeps the group focused

and organised. They are

usually the first person to

offer to take notes to

keep a record of ideas

and decisions. They also

like to act as time-keeper.

EncouragerEnergises groups when motivation is low

through humour or being enthusiastic. They are positive individuals

who support and praise other group members. They may use humour to break

tensions in the group.

Top Tips• Make sure everyone understands the task. What is being

asked and what are the criteria on which you will be marked?

• Make the atmosphere as informal and supportive as possible so people who may be quiet feel comfortable contributing.

• Listen to and discuss everyone’s ideas.

• Agree goals and responsibilities between the team, breaking the task into manageable chunks. Find out what people’s strengths are and use these to your advantage.

• If the work will take several meetings, organise a schedule for this.