“Teamwork is working together to get the best possible outcome for your company. It means that you are more concerned about the well being of the team than your own well being. It means cooperation over competition. Members should want to work together for the best outcomes.”
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?
Instructor
2) What is your direct supervisor’s official job / position title?
Dean
3) What industry do you work in?
Education
4) How many years have you been in your current industry and job?
4
5) What are 3 to 5 of your most important skills, specialties, or areas of expertise?
Writing, tutoring, teaching English
Interviewee Responses
01) Describe (in your own words) what you think ‘teamwork’ means.
Teamwork is working together to get the best possible outcome for your company. It means that you are more concerned about the well being of the team than your own well being. It means cooperation over competition. Members should want to work together for the best outcomes.
02) Think about a person you feel needs team-building training. How do you think this training would help him/her?
This person is more concerned about her own selfish needs and doesn’t think about the team so she needs training to show her the importance of the team. Training would help her be less focused on herself and more focused on the team. It would help her think about the big picture, or the company’s overall goals, instead of her own personal day to day goals.
03) How do you think teamwork could help a company or business?
It helps a business prosper and be the best if can be. If people are working together and in harmony the company will run smoother. Morale is higher in environments where people work together as a team and feel that their contribution is valued.
04) Describe a teamwork / team-building exercise or event you’ve been through at your work, school, or during training.
One is where you pretend you are stranded on a deserted island with only a few supplies. You are allowed to keep only one or two. As a group you have to come to a consensus as to which supplies you will keep. It makes group members talk to each other and negotiate to get their choice of supplies.
05) Explain at least 1 thing you’ve learned from a team-building exercise and how it has helped you.
I have learned to listen to others. I tend to be very stubborn and set in my ways. By participating in the above activity, it made me realize that I am not always right. I need to respect others’ ideas.
06) Think back to a team-building exercise you did NOT enjoy. What do you feel could have been improved and why?
I did not enjoy getting my own way. I wish we could have made two lists–a personal list of supplies and a group list. I felt frustrated when I did not get my choice of supplies. By having my own list I would not have felt so frustrated.
07) Describe what you like most about team-building efforts and training.
I like that they make you think about the importance of working with others. The training makes you realize that you have to give in and not do things exactly the way you want, which is hard for me to do. It helps you see the “big picture” of working together toward a goal.
08) What are a few things you like least about team-building efforts and why?
I don’t like that I don’t get my way at all. In fact, sometimes I feel like no one is listening to my ideas. I get frustrated. I want to be heard. Sometimes I’ll just shut down.
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 it. By observing a video or listening I tend to zone out and not pay much attention. I get the most out of doing something myself. I like to experience the training for myself.
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 make sure that everything is organized. If I’m using a Powerpoint I would make sure it is working correctly by clicking through it. I would make sure I have all materials needed (pens, paper, etc,)
11) In your opinion, what type or personality of person do you think could benefit most from team-building efforts?
I hate to admit it, but probably someone who is like me who tends to be very stubborn. I’m also very introverted and would rather work by myself. However, team building efforts force me out of my shell and to respect other people’s ideas and opinions.
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