The Nature of Teamwork

As a society, we have evolved to work as a part of a team to achieve a desired goal on many tasks. Proper teamwork represents the synergy within the entire group; a harmony and efficiency which invariably lead to better results than if one were to perform the task alone.

In fact, while this success is a result of cooperative effort, individuals and subdivisions within the team play an important role. Let us have a quick look at how each is defined in this context.

Individual Responsibilities

In fact, there may very well be an “I” in team after all. Just as a community of bees is nothing without the individual workers, so a team’s structure is similarly based around individual efforts. Certain members are assigned distinct responsibilities that suit them best. They then complete these tasks and present the results back to the group. This is known as delegation of duties.

Tasks Assigned to Subgroups

When approached with a more complex problem, a team leader will often separate members into smaller pockets of cohesive groups. This allows for greater efficiency within each subgroup while still attacking the task at-hand. An example of this could be a computer programming team splitting into different sections; one section will address coding issues while another may focus on graphical layout. Either way, both groups will then return to the centralised team structure to present their findings.

Team Tasks

This is perhaps the most visible form of group problem solving. Each member will perform a different but equally important role. By definition, such a system will also require a team leader to make certain the process is cohesive and that there are no conflicts within the structure itself. This can be truly defined as “teamwork” although it still must be remembered that without individual contributions, the project would not be solved.

It should be noted that team tasks should not be confused with group tasks. Group tasks are defined as activities where members are all performing the same task simultaneously. An example of this could be a brainstorming session or a session where an entire team is required to perform the same duties under the cognisance of a supervisor.

So, we can now understand that there are many levels involved in the activities of a team. By appreciating these different models, it is easier to choose which one may be appropriate for a certain task.