This document discusses the importance of teamwork. It defines teamwork as working collaboratively with a group to achieve a common goal. Successful teams have clear roles and structure, utilize each member's unique talents, provide feedback, and support one another. The document then draws parallels between successful teamwork and geese flying in V-formation. Geese fly in sync, take turns leading, encourage one another, help injured members, and share a common purpose. Overall, the key lessons are that teamwork maximizes individual strengths for the good of the group and relies on communication, interdependence, and commitment to succeed.
2. OVERVIEW
• What is teamwork and why are teams essential to success?
• What makes a successful team?
3. WHAT ISTEAMWORK?
• The process of working collaboratively with a group of people in order to
achieve a goal.
WHY ISTEAMWORK IMPORTANT?
• It doesn’t mean everybody doing the same
thing or everybody being able to do each
other’s jobs. It’s more a means to a synergistic
way of working, where the sum is greater
than the parts. Properly managed, teamwork
maximizes strengths, bringing out the best in
each team member, a key theme on this site.
These specific, possibly unique individual
strengths are then complimented by the
strengths of others, or of the team as a unit.
4. MEANING OF TEAM?
T Talents (i.e., skills and abilities)
E Enthusiasm (i.e., shared excitement and interest)
A Adaptable (i.e., flexibility is key to face unforeseen roadblocks)
M Mutual respect (i.e., valuing everyone’s contributions)
W WorkingTogether (i.e., common purpose to deliver results)
O Organized (i.e., clear structure, expectations, roles, etc.)
R Recognition (i.e., continuous feedback – like the geese)
K Knowledge (i.e., having the required knowledge to achieve the common
purpose)
5. TEAMWORK and…geese!
FACT 1: Do you know why geese fly in a “V” formation?
• Firstly, the fly in a “V” formation because of it conserves their
energy.
They fly likeV. because they conserve their energy. One who flies
behind the other slowly wings, so that they do not get lost and do
not get tired.
• The second benefit to theV formation is that it is easy to keep
track of every bird in the group. Flying in formation may assist
with the communication and coordination within the group.
Fighter pilots often use this formation for the same reason.
6. TEAMWORK
and…geese!
FACT 2: What happens when a
goose falls out of formation?
When a goose falls out of
formation, it suddenly feels the
friction of flying alone. It then
quickly adjusts its mistake and
moves back into formation to take
advantage of the lifting power of
the bird immediately in front of it.
7. TEAMWORK
and…geese!
• FACT 3:What happens when the lead goose is
tired?
When the lead goose in the front gets tired, it
rotates back into the formation and allows
another goose to take the leadership position.
8. TEAMWORK and…geese!
• FACT 4:Why do the geese honk when flying in
formation?
The geese honk to recognize each other and
encourage those up front to keep up their speed.
9. TEAMWORK
and…geese!
• FACT 5:What happens when a goose gets sick or
wounded?
When a goose gets sick or wounded, two geese drop
out of formation and follow it down to help and protect
it.They stay with it until it dies or is able to fly again.
Then, they launch out with another formation or catch
up with the flock.
10. •Staying committed to core values and purpose:
The geese migration routes never vary.They use the same route
year after year. Even when the flock members change, the young
learn the route from their parents. In the spring they will go back to
the spot where they were born.
TEAMWORK and…geese!
11. • Individuals who share a common direction and achieve
their goals quicker and easier
• Accepting others help and support and extending your help
and support to others
• A group of people who are interdependent on each
others skills, capabilities, talents and resources
• Constant encouragement and feedback.
• Standing by each other in difficult times as well as when
we are strong
TEAMWORK and…geese!
Who can repeat the 5 lessons we learned?
12. Lessons learned from the exercise:
Teamwork is crucial for success
Teamwork and communication go hand in hand and are both crucial to
achieve great results
Teamwork is a journey of continuous improvement
Every team member plays an important role in achieving the team’s goal
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13. WHAT MAKES A SUCCESSFUL TEAM?
• Divide into the same groups as in your last
exercise
• Write the word TEAMWORK vertically
on a piece of paper
• Choose a word that starts with each
letter of the word TEAMWORK which
describes what makes a successful team
• Present your findings and explain the
reasoning behind each word