Working in a team makes us believe in each other, helps support each other and leads us to turn a dream project into reality.
During our team-working workshop in class, we had an activity where we were paired into groups and given some activities about the importance of teamwork. We were given different situations on survival stories about a ship drowning in the middle of the ocean. When we first got the scenario and our roles for the teamwork, I was very excited to start planning about how we will come up with viable solutions as a group. This group work on survival mode was quite interesting for me as it was a unique activity and we ended up with pretty awesome solutions. I have a lot of experience in doing teamwork and it is something that I look forward to as well. When we started working together, the collective knowledge helped us to come up with new and creative ideas. As Mark Twain says “There are no new ideas; there are only new ways to recycle old ones.”
In the picture: A team that I worked with for the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association.
Collective Intelligence
“ Ideas and concept shared within a team are known as collective intelligence and that is only possible through collaboration”
My team members for this particular activity were smart and analytical. I loved being a part of this team because there was more than one brain contemplating a problem and it was the collective effort that helped us become successful. Ideas and concept shared within a team are known as collective intelligence and that is only possible through collaboration (Salminen, 2012). Whenever I start working in a team and I notice people being least bothered, then I subconsciously become the leader of the group because I feel responsible for the success of my team. On the contrary when I am placed in a dream team, then also the team members unanimously agree to make me the leader. This happens because of my strong headed personality and clear communication skills where the rest of the team believes in me to take the team forward. Even though I enjoy leading a team and making decisions, it becomes stressful for me to be in that position where people start depending on me to do most of the work. I believe that when we work in a group, the work should equally be divided between team members. Hence, one person will not have to do all the work or take the whole pressure.
Being a good listener
Because of my over efficient leadership skills, sometimes I tend to not be a good listener for my team members and that is an area I really need to work on. I want to develop the skill of being a good listener so my team members also feel heard and important when they work with me. Teamwork has helped me to become adaptable and open to different opinions and thought processes. I get distracted easily while working in a group as there are so many ideas being discussed at the same time. I noticed one of my team members taking notes in our initial group discussion and that seemed to help us stay in track throughout the activity. From next time onwards, I will do the same as it will help me to keep track of time and it will not distract me from the main goal. In order to develop good listening skills, I will be more attentive and face the speaker when they are talking. I will wait till the speaker is done and ask other team members to give their input as well before I give my own.
People are social creatures and despite the fact that some prefer to work alone, we enjoy sharing experiences with others. Teamworking gives us a sense of togetherness when other people can relate to our situation and share the same feelings as us. Hence, the sentence “We are in this together” helps us get through the toughest of times and provides us comfort in difficult situations. (Pavlic, 2020)
References
Pavlic, J., 2020. In the Loop. [Online] Available at: https://www.intheloop.io/blog/advantages-of-teamwork/ [Accessed 10 03 2021].
Salminen, J., 2012. Collective Intelligence in Humans: A Literature Review. [Online] Available at: https://arxiv.org/pdf/1204.3401.pdf [Accessed 26 03 2021].
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