What’s Gonna Work? Teamwork!
“We’re not too big and we’re not too tough, but when we work together, we’ve got the right stuff! Go Wonder Pets!”
If you’re still a kid in 2006–2012, you might be familiar with this song. It’s a lyric snippet of the theme song from a TV Series, Wonder Pets. It is really amazing how even when we were kids, working well with a team is a quality that is always emphasized. In a sense, it’s teaching the younger generations on how important human interactions are.
Just like in the Wonder Pets serial, teamwork is important in solving big problems, just like this project (the scale, is not small and there are other things at stake). Although, I have to admit that in this project, I and my team really have the upper hand because all of us (the team members) have been in the same classes for more than two years. This made it easier for us to bond and work with each other.
Team Dynamics
First, I would like to thank the Teacher’s Assistant and the lecturers for making us fill in the questionnaire about personality and working in a team. I think it is the right thing to do to make a team (although it could not be applied every single time. i.e in the office, we cannot be picky on what kind of person that we want on our team). Having team members with different backgrounds and personalities made the team more colourful and fun.
How to Build Team Dynamics?
I am in no way an expert with team building or human relations, but from my experience both as a team member and a committee leader, I have learned some things about team dynamics.
1. Make sure that the team bonds
As a member of a team, it is important for you to make sure that you can engage nicely with the team. If you are on the extrovert side, you can do this by initiating interactions with your team members but if you’re more on the introvert side, you can do this by simply not shying away from your team and try to welcome other people! Because to be able to bond, the team needs two-way communication.
2. Respect each other
This might seem like a thing that everyone does, but this rule gets violated more than you think it does. This is because everyone’s boundaries are different. So, make sure to ask what the other party think and feel before you do anything. You would not want to make anyone feel uncomfortable.
3. Make sure that no one is missing out
As a member of the team, it’s nice to look out for each other. It would mean a lot if someone remembers that you’re a part of the team. Simple acts like asking teammates to eat lunch together and asking how they’re doing on the task are sufficient to make them feel like they belong.
4. Share important pieces of information on public space
I don’t mean private things, I meant things that everyone needs to know such as an important team meeting. We need everyone to be on board and like the third point, to make sure that no one is left behind and is updated on everything.
5. Do something outside of the workplace
Sometimes, after days of hard work (sprints), the team needs to bond and have some air too. It would be nice to go and play outside, have a small get-together, picnic, or day out and just have fun with no work pressure. It builds the team’s partnership and bond.
but most importantly, Have fun!
Because you can’t always please people every single time, you can make mistake(s) and that’s okay! As long as you’re not hurting others, you're good.
