Unit 4: Teamwork

Concepts

Definition and Characteristics:

Teamwork is a task that is carried out by a group of members who have a common objective, although
each one develops their tasks individually to achieve it.

Teams are created to provide knowledge, share information, criteria, and to achieve a common goal
thanks to the tasks carried out by each member.

The aim that we are trying to achieve when working as a team is to unite efforts and skills, maximize these,
and reduce the execution time of tasks.

The greater the understanding and cohesion between all team members, the better results will be
obtained with the implementation of their work.

Characteristics of teamwork

These are the main ones:

• Share goals: Be clear about what you want to achieve with teamwork.

• Willing to cooperate: If a member is not clear that cooperating is essential to successful

teamwork, then there may be problems. Each member must carry out their work, and maximize
their tasks, but must also be aware of the rest and show interest in helping them if necessary.

• Positive visualization of goals: You have to have a positive mind, visualize success and try to
achieve it. Different and varied opinions are welcome, but the ideal is to specify a path to be
followed by all team members and that this is followed with a view to achieving the desired
success.

• Fluid communication: It is important to highlight this concept since the ability to communicate
openly will be essential for its proper functioning. Express opinions, evaluations, questions,
doubts and any type of question will be welcomed by the general welfare.

• Share skills: This will add value to the work that is carried out. If someone is good at something in
particular and another member needs help with it, sharing information and help will enhance the
value of the team.

• Recognition among participating members: Appreciating the work of colleagues is very

motivating, and a reward for continuing to carry out tasks successfully.
 • The example of Leader: The work team can be led by a leader, but it must always be someone
who encourages, motivates and helps at all times.

• Enhance ideas and creativity: Encouraging the creation of ideas, and the implementation of
creative techniques is essential and will also allow solving problems that arise during
development.

Failures that impede the proper development of teamwork

These are the most common:

• Think individually and not in groups: It is clear that each member carries out their tasks, but it is
necessary to have a collective thought and interest in the common goal among all the participants
of the team. If this does not happen, the original vision can be lost, and individuality fostered.

• A wrong leadership: The leader must be a good example, if, on the contrary, he has an arrogant,
domineering and unmotivating attitude, it will be a problem for the team.

• Unclear goals: Be clear about the objectives, and the action plan is indisputable. If this is not
resolved from the beginning it can lead to numerous problems.

Communication channels

The importance of communication in work teams

In order to can communicate effectivelyit is necessary to learn to listen to others from their reality and
not from ours. For this we requiredevelop critical thinking that will become the tool to understand the
message that others want to convey taking into account who they are and thus be able to analyze and
evaluate what has been said with a broader perspective.

Dialogue is the act of talkingwith others in order to exchange ideas that produce benefits of various
kinds. Dialogue implies discussion, because through the presentation of ideas the reason for them is
argued in a solid way.

It is debated with the purpose of understanding the position of others and that of oneself through
listening in order to broaden the vision by listening to the messages of others, who are a source of wealth
when learning to listen and debate in order to reach agreements that benefit everyone.

People who know how to work in a team are people interested in knowing the arguments of others and
recognize the value of discussing different ideas that produce benefit and do not strive to impose their
ideas but enrich them through the contributions of all team members and recognize when someone
contributes winning ideas.

Currently the organizationsThey require people who are able to interact healthily with others. It is
important to understand that healthy human relationships are those where there is dialogue and
discussion from the perspective that we are mentioning in this writing.
That is, people who recognize that the important thing is not to impose, but to understand and reach
agreements.

How communication influences teamwork

Those who learn to work in a teamthey do not engage in idle talk that does not lead to any positive action
for the "team members." Therefore, their attitude shows that they value humility as the quality necessary
to converse both in convergence and divergence.

The true learners of teamwork are those who put into practice dialogue and discussion in order to
empower themselves through the intervention of others, therefore, true teamwork involves uniting
knowledge, skills and values of the members in favor of all and with this, each individual learns from the
other and with the other to correct mistakes, enhance weaknesses and discover strengths that lead to the
growth of the team.

Learn the discipline of teamwork It implies for each person to have the availability to transform the bonds
of competition into bonds of cooperation that intensify in people values such as solidarity,
companionship, reflection, availability, kindness, but all of them first require humility.

At this point we clarify that values do not serve in words but in action, therefore, those who know how to
work as a team show it through their behavior.

Have a common addressit becomes an indispensable condition for teamwork. Those who know where
they are going and what they want to achieve, are able to harmonize energies and avoid wasting them.

For this, they require dialogue and discussion that allows the exchange of ideas about possible actions
that lead to the achievement of the objectives set.

By launching the dialogue, one is in a position to align as a team and develop the capacity to create the
desired results collectively by generating in the members a shared vision emanating from the conviction
produced by talking.

What can be seen in this idea is that conversation is the necessary means to build trust which is bilateral
and the sooner it is transmitted through assertive communication, the sooner it will be observed how it
grows among employees.

We start from the premisethat thought is a social construction that is enriched and strengthened as
people learn to dialogue. Sharing both theoretical and experience knowledge enables people who have
learned to communicate to understand problems and thereby collectively seek the best solutions.

At this point it is important clarify that thinking is a systematic phenomenon that arises from our way of
interacting and exchanging speeches, therefore, it is important for those who want to learn to work as a
team to act in such a way that it generates in other cooperative actions that result in personal and
collective growth .
Based on the ideas in this paragraph, let us ask ourselves, is it that the selfish way of acting on the part of
the majority of the people hinders the learning of dialogue and discussion?

You need to start by designing a visionof where you want the organization to go. Then list the company's
assets, map its capabilities, and identify new trends in the market. By asking employees, you will not only
exploit an easily accessible source of ideas, but you will also ensure that your people are committed to
the future of the company.

Here are 4 techniques that will allow you to develop the ability to listen and dialogue.

Four Techniques for Developing the Ability to Listen and Dialogue:

• Check: "Let me repeat what you said to make sure I understand you"

• Clarify: "I think this is what you mean ..."

• Show support: "I hear you, please continue"

• Structure: "What do you think if we see the symptoms, try to define the problem and then discuss
possible solutions"

The basic conditions for dialogue are:

Be aware of our ideas

Opinions, prejudices, needs and motives in order to submit them to the examination that the group makes
of them; that is, we should not adopt rigid and non-negotiable thoughts that make us feel obligated to
defend them.

Consciously viewing others as colleagues

In order to establish links of equality that allow the flow of ideas. This type of relationship does not imply
that the same thoughts should be agreed or shared, on the contrary, the power of this way of interacting
operates when there are differences in concepts.

Therefore, it is essential to learn to visualize "adversaries" as "colleagues with other perspectives", in

order to exchange thought forms in a relaxed and respectful way that helps us to leave behind the feelings
of anger that commonly occur. when people do not have the discipline to keep an open mind and believe
that there is no other way to capture the world outside of what they perceive.

Establish symmetric relationships

Where the idea of superiority and / or subordination is avoided. Relationships where individuals are
perceived as equals allow the flow of ways of thinking to take place through open dialogue and in a more
balanced way.

Work environment

8 keys to creating a good work environment

We see it in our day to day. A company whose workers are motivated gains a lot in productivity. And it is
that this is not only determined by the efficiency of the production systems and / or services of the
company but, above all, by the predisposition to the work of the employees that make it up. For this
reason, it is vital to have a team of people who feel motivated every day during their workday.

To create a good climate at work, we have to take into account several factors that we must promote
within our companies. Whether we are managers or employees, we can all collaborate and try to put most
of them into practice, since the creation of a good work environment favors both the results of the
company and the psychological well-being of the people who work in her.

Some of the actions that we can carry out are:

Create a climate of respect. This is the most important point. We must all try to create an environment
in harmony in which tolerance is the key piece, both between different established hierarchical levels and
"equals.

Cooperate instead of competing. When we are in a team we must be aware that we all work towards a
common goal. Therefore, complicity, cohesion and above all cooperation are the main ingredients to
improve personal relationships and the results of our efforts.

Promote autonomy. When employees have their own responsibilities in their work and have a free way
to think critically and propose ideas, they end up becoming more involved, since they understand that
their actions and opinions are important and have relevance.

Help family conciliation. Work should be an important part of our lives but it cannot completely condition
our personal life. From the company we can carry out various actions such as giving the option of more
flexible hours or adapted to school hours, among others.

Have empathy. All workers, and even the leader himself, can have complicated personal situations and
we must have enough empathy to understand their situation and understand the possible consequences.

Build a nice physical space.We spend many hours a day in the office, so we must ensure that these places
are well lit, ventilated, etc. In addition, the organization, cleanliness and comfort must be taken care of in
detail, since they will affect the emotional state and productivity of the employees.
Choose a good leader. For this it is crucial that you know the potential of your employees but also that
you communicate correctly with them. It is important that you appreciate their work and acknowledge
their successes, as well as stimulate feedback, know their opinions and criticisms and propose solutions
in this regard.

Stimulation From the personnel management, we must create the feeling for our employees that their
professional career does not have to remain stagnant within the company, but that it has prospects for
growth and improvement over time. In addition to rewards at the status or economic level, we can also
stimulate our employees with training, offering them courses of their interest that also improve the
productivity of their daily work.

How to form a Good Work Team

1. Understand what a great team must have

Optimal teamwork doesn't come out of nowhere. It involves a conscious effort on the part of everyone
within a team, including the leader. A great team consists of some elements that must be present at all
times:

• Clear objectives- Each team member must be aware of the importance of any particular activity
as part of a larger goal.

• Clear roles- All team members must know the hierarchy and their role in it.

• Perfect communication- Communication should be as fluid as possible, whenever someone has a

question or an idea, they should be able to communicate it.

• Cooperation: Teamwork is not about individual achievement; but of what a group achieves as a
whole.

• Individual development within the team: the individual must not lose their authentic voice
during collaboration.

A great team is one whose work is based on clear goals, clear roles, clear communication, cooperation,
and opportunities for personal development.

2. Establish strong leadership

If you want to know how to build an efficient team, you must first learn how to be an effective leader.
Only a good leader will be able to influence even when he is not around. Your influence will encourage
the team to work effectively on all group and individual activities.

The best leadership should not be imposed in an authoritarian way. You must build trust through
transparency and an honest approach.

There are a few things that will help you establish effective leadership:
 • Overview. All your decisions must be transparent and guided by a more transcendental
perspective.

• Delegate tasks and responsibilities. Delegate in the most practical way possible. Don't overwhelm
people with too much work while leaving other team members with excessive free time.

• Communicate clear goals. Know the purpose of your team and be able to make it understood by
communicating clearly and without any room for misunderstandings.

3. Encourage connection between team members

The leader must continually assess how team members work together. Ideally, your team should be self-
sufficient and function without you having to guide it through every step.

As team members become comfortable with one another, their efficiency and productivity will improve
as trust builds between them.

With the following tips you can help them become familiar with each other's roles and work styles.

• Team exercises. Working on simple activities that build trust among members and know that they
can depend on each other will help increase the effectiveness and productivity of your team.

• Improve cooperation between team members. Try different activities like taking everyone out
for lunch or planning a meeting after work. Encourage them to get to know each other.

• Encourage them to help! When you hire someone new, assign them a mentor who can introduce
them to the workflow. Mentoring programs are great for building connections!

You should always be aware of the fact that conflicts and misunderstandings will occur. Your role as a
leader should be to solve such problems in the friendliest way possible. Invite both parties to share their
positions and listen to them. Then, act as a mediator to reach the most acceptable solution.

4. Connect with each member of the team

As a leader, you must know each member of the team as an individual. Each person has a specific set of
abilities, as well as interests and disadvantages. When you know these things, you can match each worker
with the most appropriate task.

Works to build trust and commitment with each employee on a personal level. As you have more
confidence in them, they, in turn, will have more confidence in you, as well as the necessary to provide
the resources to your company so that it can grow satisfactorily.

5. Invest in events that strengthen your teams (team building)

These events will promote strong relationships and a sense of community within the team. These types
of events are a great way to foster better communication and collaboration among team members.

Consider investing in some of these activities:

 • Fundraising projects, which will connect the team to achieve a noble goal.

• Social events, such as picnics, soccer games, or domino tournaments.

• Outdoor adventures, such as hiking, sailing, climbing, and other physically challenging activities.
They should be achievable for all team members, but they still need to make an effort to achieve
a common goal.

• Indoor activities, such as filming a video in the office, playing team board games, or role-playing.

6. Monitor and review

Evaluation techniques are part of the development process of any great team. You should use obvious
metrics, such as financial measures, to evaluate the success of the team and each individual on it. When
you set precise goals, you must measure achievements at precise time intervals as well.

Some questions to ask yourself:

• What has the team accomplished so far?

• What has changed?

• What have the members learned?

• What is working well?

• What aspects of teamwork need or can be improved?

Monitor work at all times and provide appropriate feedback to drive your team to perform more
effectively.

Working effectively and competently requires a team to come together for a common goal. You should
also have a clear understanding of how the company and the other team members work. That is why team
management should be a priority for organizations.

Departments of a Company

There are several departments that a company can have, varying depending on its size, number of
employees and needs. Basically, the departments present in most organizations are as follows.

1. Finance department

The finance department is the one that gets, as its name suggests, funding. This financing must be required
so that the company can cover the costs of its needs. In addition, the department plans what is necessary
so that the organization always has money and can face its payments on time, having a healthy financial
situation.
The accounting functions carried out by this department control aspects such as inventory valuation, cost
accounting, balance sheets, records, preparation of financial statements and business statistics.

2. Human resources department

The objective of the human resources department has to do with making sure that the human group that
works in the organization works properly. This department makes sure to hire the best people for the job,
through recruitment, selection, training and development.

In essence, this department ensures that workers have up-to-date and pertinent knowledge to what is
demanded in the company, in addition to behaving according to the objectives to be achieved.

Also, a fundamental function of this department is to make sure that workers are motivated and that, in
case there has been an incident between them, to try to see what ways to take to ensure that social
relationships are not harmed within the organization.

3. Marketing department

The marketing department collaborates with the commercial department (in some companies, they are
the same department) to achieve more and better sales, in addition to making sure that customers are
treated appropriately, inviting them to reapply for the product or service that the organization offers.

The marketing department gathers information on factors and facts that influence the market, with the
intention of modifying and updating its product or service to make it more attractive to the consumer.
Also, it is responsible for distributing the product in such a way that it is available at the right time, in the
appropriate form and quantity, in the space that is required and at a competitive price, not too expensive
so that the consumer does not buy it, but neither , too cheap for the company to make a loss.

4. Administration Department

The administration department is considered one of the most important, since it is the essential engine
for the competitiveness of the organization and its economic development. In addition, as new
technologies are more and more powerful, this department is becoming more and more necessary,
especially when it comes to selling products electronically.

An administration department is responsible for providing administrative aid in five areas of a business:
information management systems, human resources, payroll, acquisition and communication. The goal
of the administration department is to keep all departments within a business operating at maximum
capacity.

5. General Management

The general management could be said to be the head of the company. Normally, in small companies, the
general direction falls on the figure of the owner, while in larger ones it falls on several people.
This department is the one that knows where the company is going, establishing its objectives as a whole.
Based on this, he prepares a business plan, with organizational goals and knowledge of the organization
as a whole that he will use to make decisions in critical situations.

6. Production Department

The production area is the department whose main function is the creation of the company's products.
They transform inputs or resources (energy, raw materials, labor, capital, information...) into final
products (goods or services).

It includes everything related to the most economical planning for the manufacture of products,
coordination of labor, use of materials, facilities, tools and services, quality testing of products and
delivery of the same for marketing or directly to the client .

Not only industrial companies have this area, but also all service companies, which is why the term
Operations Area is more often used today. The term production seems to apply only to tangible goods,
and not to intangible goods or services.

Every process is characterized by having some inputs (inputs) and outputs (outputs). The control and
quantification of production processes provide very useful information on their operation and their
possibilities for improvement:

• Efficiency. How to make better use of productive capacity, resources, ...

• Quality. How to improve failures, non-conformities, security, ...

• Productivity. How to increase the number of products per month, production stoppages, ...

• Costs. Information on the real cost per final product, semi-finished, parts, ...

Practice

Describe what each department of your company will do

Write 5 rules of coexistence.

What are Coexistence Rules?

The norms of coexistence are a set of rules established in a social group in order to guide and facilitate
relationships between subjects and guarantee the proper development of work and daily life.

For this reason, the rules of coexistence are based on values such as tolerance, mutual respect,
compliance with duties and rights, and respect for the rights of others.

What are the rules of coexistence for?

Coexistence norms help prevent conflicts between members of a group or community, since these, by
sowing hostility, threaten the well-being of daily life, hinder the development of social goals and can even
lead to tragic and irreparable outcomes. .

Compliance with the rules of coexistence favors the promotion of a peaceful environment, good
communication and the assimilation of the values of respect, tolerance, solidarity and companionship.

In this way, the rules of coexistence contribute to the transmission of healthy habits in individuals, in
productive work and in the construction of a sense of belonging.

Characteristics of the rules of coexistence

• They vary according to the context, type and function of the community (academic, work, citizen,
etc.).

• They express the values of the social group.

• They are flexible, that is, they adapt to historical transformations.

• Are punctual.

• They are easy to assimilate.

• They can be transmitted through custom, oral or written tradition.

• When the norms are established by formal institutions such as schools or the municipality, they
incorporate sanction systems.

Example: Rules of coexistence at work

Among some of the basic rules of coexistence at work we have:

• Practice courtesy: say hello, say goodbye, thank, ask permission.

• Use a respectful, decent and appropriate vocabulary.
• Maintain assertive communication with team members.
• Take personal calls in private to avoid distracting others.
• Listen to music with headphones so as not to disturb colleagues.
• Keep clean the work area.
• Eat in the places designated for it and not at the desk.
• Consult with the team before altering the physical conditions of the environment (altering the
temperature of the air conditioning or heating, changing the furniture, doing any noisy activity,
etc.).
• Do not repeat gossip or create rumors.

Call people by name.