But cooperative teamwork is easier said than done. There are those that do not take work as earnestly as other members, including those who sit back and refuse to take on their role. To make matters worse, differences in opinion are bound to occur.Despite these challenges, the final output must be made and doing everything alone is too much of an overload. Over the years, Ewha Voice and other team projects have provided several solutions. A few suggestions for better synergy among teammates are as follows.
The first is defining expectations. When students are work together, there is a clear purpose, and along with this purpose follow expectations of what each teammate wants. It is important to clearly talk the expectations through and agree on one clear idea. With a developed common approach, teammates will have to work consistently and check with each other until the goal is achieved.
Second is effective communication. Wherever you go and whatever you do, communication is key when working with other people. There is also the saying, “communication is a vital factor of interpersonal interaction.” Everybody should be able to express their thoughts, and one person should not dominate the discussion. With this said, everyone must engage and participate.
Third is responsibility. Designated roles should be executed by the person in charge and all members must understand that team projects require combined effort. It is everyone’s responsibility to participate whether it is attending meetings, brainstorming sessions, or participating in any other activities.
Then, there are the other basics: Setting an exact date and making sure the assignment is completed on time, participating wholeheartedly, being open minded, supporting and trusting your teammates and trying to have fun while working together.
These are only a few of the guidelines that I have learned and tried to follow when it is necessary for me to work in a team. Different teams will probably need different guidelines, but making the effort to build a successful team will bring satisfying results.
Always keep in mind Henry Ford’s saying, “Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.”
Ewha Voice
evoice@ewha.ac.kr