Teamwork .... Is It Effective?
In the literature on teamwork, the following factors are
identified as contributing to an effective teamwork approach.
They provide the means for a team to begin to analyze its
working relationship.
Attributes of Ideal Teamwork Relationships
·Participants believe in and are committed to the value of
working together in a spirit of cooperation.
·Team size is appropriate for effective communication (2-5
members are ideal, a group of 5-10 is workable, a group of
10-15 is difficult, and more than 15 may be impossible
unless divided into subunits).
·Participants understand the overall objectives of the organization
and of the phase of the program each represents.
·Participants understand individual roles and responsibilities, as
well as relationships to other staff members and to the total
Extension program.
·Participants take the time to establish and clarify guidelines and
procedures for a working relationship; they are committed
to making plans and achieving them.
·Participants define and agree upon meaningful and measurable
objectives that meet both group and personal needs;
individuality and creativity are not stifled.
·Someone within the group assumes leadership to coordinate
each task or program effort.
·Participants function well in a variety of roles (initiating, informing,
summarizing, mediating, encouraging) and know
when appropriate roles are needed.
·Participants know each other-are aware of each others'
resources, skills and areas of expertise; they know what
each can contribute to the group.
·The group allows sufficient time for the teamwork effort.
·The group places work orientation first, but allows social
interaction, too.