Cube & Computer Life Can Drag: Look To The Team For Motivation! [Interviews]

“Teamwork means working together to achieve a goal. Everyone contributes their best skills in order to do so. You help one another for a common purpose.”

This interview is reaching out to a broad audience to help me (and you!) get a better understanding of just what people actually think about teamwork and how it impact their lives. I hope you enjoy it and maybe gain an insight or two.

Interviewee Profile

1) What is your official job / position title?

Web Developer

2) What is your direct supervisor’s official job / position title?

Senior Developer

3) What industry do you work in?

Computer / Design

4) How many years have you been in your current industry and job?

5) What are 3 to 5 of your most important skills, specialties, or areas of expertise?

Web Design, Programming, Critical thinking

Interviewee Responses

01) Describe (in your own words) what you think ‘teamwork’ means.

Teamwork means working together to achieve a goal. Everyone contributes their best skills in order to do so. You help one another for a common purpose.

02) Think about a person you feel needs team-building training. How do you think this training would help him/her?

I know a few people who would need team building training. They are the type of person to work alone on every project. Training would help them be able to do larger projects with other people. You can’t do a large project alone.

03) How do you think teamwork could help a company or business?

A company or business usually has large projects. These projects often cannot be done alone. Good teamwork would mean efficient work that works well.

04) Describe a teamwork / team-building exercise or event you’ve been through at your work, school, or during training.

One team building exercise done at work was an exercise where we were split up into groups and had to solve complex puzzles together. Whichever group solved the most puzzles won a prize. My group ended up winning because we worked so well together.

05) Explain at least 1 thing you’ve learned from a team-building exercise and how it has helped you.

I’ve learned to accept the opinion and criticisms of others without being offended. In a team you have to listen to your peers and trust them. Doing so will leave you with a healthy team.

06) Think back to a team-building exercise you did *NOT* enjoy. What do you feel could have been improved and why?

I do not enjoy going with an idea that doesn’t make any sense to me. Sometimes you cannot get your teammates to do things your way which might be the better way. Sacrifices need to be made in a group.

07) Describe what you like *most* about team-building efforts and training.

I like team building training because they’re fun. You’re often split up into groups and do fun things and learn how to work together. Working with other people makes things worthwhile.

08) What are a few things you like *least* about team-building efforts and why?

Sometimes team-building efforts seem forced. Sometimes you are completely capable of doing something alone and working in a group just makes it not challenging. Sometimes you need the challenge in order to grow.

09) When learning about team-building, would you rather read about it, listen to a trainer, watch training videos, or physically participate in an event? Describe why you feel that way.

I would rather physically participate in an event. It is the best way to get to know people. You have to talk to someone in person to see how they are.

10) Pretend you are asked to give a quick team-building presentation at work. What are your first couple of steps to get prepared?

I would think back at all the team training exercises that I’ve had. I would write down all the things I’ve learned from it and present it. I would tell them the benefits of teamwork.

11) In your opinion, what type or personality of person do you think could benefit most from team-building efforts?

I think the person that can benefit the most from team-building efforts are shy people. It will bring them out of their shell. They can make new friends and work with people.