Short PowerPoint I put together which I use in the first tutorial of the semester when students are to form groups/team for assessment and tutorial purposes. Includes some info. on Tuckman, Qualities of successful teams, and the geese team qualities.

1. Teams in
Student Assignments

2. Your Experiences…
Good
Not so good!

3. No excuses...
We don t like team work...
The groups are too large...
They hold my grades back...
Teams never work...

4. What does industry require request...?
§ Software 96746
Licensing Sales Team Leader
§ Senior Software on
job hits Engineer, Java, Asia Pacific
Team
seek.com.au
with Team
§ 12 Month Contract - work in a strategic
690 jobs with
in the position
Communications Team
Business Analysis
title
§ Network Team Leader - the position title
in Health Sector
§ Architect / BI Team Leader
§ Cisco Team Leader
§ Software Development Team Leader

5. We often work in Team environments... but
what are the challenges?
§ Conflict
§ Collaboration
§ Personal work styles
§ Time (not enough!)
§ Social vs. independent contributors
§ Last minute / build steady progress
§ Non-participation / over-participation

6. Qualities of Successful Teams
1.) They think in single mindedness (even after conflicts).
2.) They believe and commit to the purpose of their cause.
3.) They fully agree with the structure of the team and put the team
above individual.
4.) They trust and emotionally and mentally connect with everyone
in the team. They watch each other s back and look out for each other.
5.) They agree to disagree in the midst of working together.
Conflicts and problems never seperate them. Instead, they unite
them.
6.) They are leaders who build leaders.
7.) They are individually of uprightness and of integrity.
8.) They communicate and update each other regularly.
9.) They build relationship together over time.
10.) They ultimately create unified growth as a group.
http://wekie.wordpress.com/2007/04/07/the-10-successful-qualities-of-team-power/

7. …Tuckman tells us
your Team is no different…

8. !
Know where your team is and !
what to expect next!!
Forming
§ Group members learn about each other and the task at hand. Indicators of this
stage might include: Unclear objectives, Uninvolvement, Uncommitted members,
Confusion, Low morale, Hidden feelings, Poor listening, etc.
Storming
§ As group members continue to work, they will engage each other in arguments
about the structure of the group which often are significantly emotional and
illustrate a struggle for status in the group. These activities mark the storming
phase: Lack of cohesion, Subjectivity, Hidden agendas, Conflicts, Confrontation,
Volatility, Resentment, anger, Inconsistency, Failure.

9. Norming!
§ Group members establish implicit or explicit rules about how they will
achieve their goal. They address the types of communication that will or will
not help with the task. Indicators include: Questioning performance, Reviewing/
clarify objective, Changing/confirming roles, Opening risky issues,
Assertiveness, Listening, Testing new ground, Identifying strengths and
weaknesses.
Performing
§ Groups reach a conclusion and implement the solution to their issue.
Indicators include: Creativity, Initiative, Flexibility, Open relationships, Pride,
Concern for people, Learning, Confidence, High morale, Success, etc.
Adjourning!
§ As the group project ends, the group disbands in the adjournment phase.
Tuckman, Bruce (1965). Developmental sequence in small groups. Psychological Bulletin 63 (6): 384–99. Retrieved 2008-11-10.

10. May be not the
Dilbert approach…
Copyright acknowledged
www.dilbert.com

11. Why are we in teams?
§ Teams are a feature of workplaces, teams may also bring new insights and
experiences to a problem.
Why groups of 5?
§ A problem shared is a problem halved, you will have to share out your
assignment in order to complete the assignment successfully.
How do we get organised?
§ Nominate a coordinator, support your coordinator, break the task into
equal components and stick to your commitments.
What if problems occur?
§ Try contacting the person/s in question directly (phone) have a discussion
and find out the issues, your tutor is the last port of call of course.
What happens if we don t get along?
§ Remember Tuckman! Work for the better good of the team, agree to disagree
but agree a course of action.

12. What does non-contribution mean?
§ it could mean you may lose your job in industry
§ you will lose marks in the assignment/s
§ you will lose credibility in the future as a student or a professional
§ you will not learn as much

13. Form your Teams
Individual Introductions…
Question your team members…
• What grade do you want to aim for realistically!
• What time of day do you meet, early bird or night owl?
• Are you full-time student of work part/full time?

14. Swap details…
Names/Contact Details
phone/email/other
Work Forum
google docs/email/other
Meetings
weekly/when/where
Commitments
What work am I responsible for?
When is it due? Is it of good quality?

15. Goose Fact #1
• Fact: As each goose flaps its wings it
creates an uplift for the birds that
follow. By flying in a V-formation, the
whole flock adds 72% greater flying
range than if each bird flew alone.
• Lesson: People who share a common
direction and sense of community can
get where they are going quicker and
easier because they are working as a
Team.

16. Goose Fact #2
• Fact: When a goose falls out of
formation it suddenly feels the drag
and resistance of flying alone. It
quickly moves back into formation to
take advantage of the lifting power of
the bird immediately in front of it.
Lesson: If we have as much sense as
a goose we stay in formation with
those headed where we want to go.
We are willing to accept their help and
give out help to others.

17. Goose Fact #3
• Fact:When the lead goose tires, it
rotates back into the formation and
another goose flies to the point
position.
Lesson: It pays to take turns doing
the hard tasks and sharing leadership.
As with geese, people are
interdependent on each other's skills,
capabilities, and unique arrangement
of gifts, talents, and resources.

18. Goose Fact #4
• Fact: When a goose gets sick,
wounded, or shot down, two geese
drop out of formation and follow it
down to help and protect it. They stay
with it until it dies or is able to fly
again. Then, they launch out with
another formation or catch up with
the flock.
Lesson: If we had as much sense as
geese, we will stand by each other in
difficult times as well as when we are
strong.

19. Goose Fact #5
• Fact: The geese flying formation
honk to encourage those up front to
keep up their speed.
Lesson: We need to make sure our
honking is encouraging. In groups
where there is encouragement, the
production is greater. The power of
encouragement (to stand by one's
heart or core values and encourage
the heart and core of others) is the
quality of honking we seek.
http://top7business.com/?id=440

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www.DrNeilPearson.com