Working in Groups

Background

Working together in groups is an integral part of most modern workplaces, regardless of whatever profession is involved. When a group works together on a particular task or project, the group normally passes through a number of phases, and team members may take on a number of different roles.

How to become a team

  • Get to know each other.
  • Do something socially together, even if it is just going for coffee.
  • Express feelings about being in a team.
  • Identify your strengths and weaknesses as a team.
  • Identify your skills that might be useful to the team.
  • Identify your preferences about how you like to work with others.

How to avoid becoming a team

  • Don't join in.
  • Have an aimless chat.
  • Allow an individual to dominate.
  • Allow members to not join in.
  • Keep it formal, neutral and abstract.
  • Avoid any expression of feelings.
  • Refuse to set yourselves any task or goal.
  • Don't find out about each other.
  • Express criticism and hostility towards each other.
  • Don't listen to each other.
  • Show no interest in the team or its goals.

Other resources