UNIT 8: TEAMWORK
EMPLOYABILITY IN THE
21ST CENTURY
UNIT 8:
TEAMWORK
Copyright © 2021
REGENT BUSINESS SCHOOL
All rights reserved; no part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means, including
photocopying machines, without the written permission of the publisher.
EMPLOYABILITY IN THE 21ST CENTURY
UNIT 8: TEAMWORK
Table of Contents
8.1. Introduction to Teamwork................................................................................. 2
Self-Assessment ..................................................................................................... 7
Take Home Exercise ............................................................................................... 8
EMPLOYABILITY IN THE 21ST CENTURY 1
UNIT 8: TEAMWORK
UNIT 8:
Teamwork
Unit Outcomes
Upon completion of this Unit, the learner should be able to:
• Recognise both the challenge and value of diversity and collaboration.
• Identify the necessary traits to work in partnership with different people.
• Embrace the fact that while you travel faster alone, you can travel farther
together
8.1. Introduction to Teamwork
Career ready people are able to collaborate with people of all backgrounds. They
capitalise on differences in order to achieve goals they could never reach alone.
Concerts are either solos or symphonies – they are performed by a single individual
or a group of musicians. When more than one person performs, musicians play
different roles, harmonising with the melody. The music gets richer as people assume
differing roles yet work to cooperate rather than collide. So it is with teams in the
workplace.
By a show of hands, how many of you have seen an orchestra play? Better yet, who
plays an instrument in an orchestra or a band?
How many instruments can we name that are included in a symphony orchestra?
It turns out that a full-sized symphony orchestra includes nearly one hundred
musicians, playing more than twenty different instruments. If you have ever heard an
orchestra play, or a recording of an orchestra, you will know how amazing it is that
beautiful sounds can be produced by such a diverse group.
Most of the instruments found in an orchestra can also be played solo, where a
musician plays alone on the stage. It is said that playing solo is both easier and more
difficult than playing in an orchestra.
EMPLOYABILITY IN THE 21ST CENTURY 2
UNIT 8: TEAMWORK
Why do you think this is so?
It is easier to play solo because there is _________________________________.
It is more difficult, too, because __________________________________,
entertain the audience, and be memorable.
Who can define the word “SYNERGY”?
When two parts together are greater than they are separately! 1 + 1 = 3
Builders know all about it. If one 2" x 4" beam can support 607 pounds, then two X 2”
x 4” should be able to support 1,214 pounds. Right?
However, if you nail them together, two X 2” x 4” can now support 4,878 pounds. And
three X 2” x 4” nailed together can support 8,481 pounds.
What does the word “DIVERSE” mean to you?
_______________________________________________
There are different types of diversity, for e.g. cultural; disability; sexual orientation;
gender; religious; and age.
It is said that “Diversity is the mix. Inclusion is making the mix work.”
Experts say there will be a lot of diversity in the workplace of the future.
Some of us are going to be very comfortable with that, while some of us are going to
wish that we could work with people who were more similar to us. That latter feeling is
a natural one to have, but it means a big missed opportunity.
EMPLOYABILITY IN THE 21ST CENTURY 3
UNIT 8: TEAMWORK
Instead of “different is uncomfortable,” we all benefit from embracing the idea that
“different is good.” But do you agree that people tend to migrate toward others who
are like them.
Why is this so? Dr Bigler, who has done research on this subject, says that the bottom
line is the following:
• We naturally tend to hang around people who are similar.
• We are prone to like those who are like us.
• We tend to prejudge those who are not like us.
• We tend to shy away from those who are different.
Sadly, when we do this, we miss amazing opportunities, and we move in the opposite
direction of where most workplaces are going.
What is the value of working on a team with individuals who think differently than you?
___________________________________________________________________
Let us look at some advantages of diversified teams.
1. It helps prevent “GROUPTHINK,” where everyone has the same
PERSPECTIVE.
2. It forces you to think, act and ENGAGE in relating to team members.
Case Study – Watch the Video
• Watch the Groupthink videos
[Link]
EMPLOYABILITY IN THE 21ST CENTURY 4
UNIT 8: TEAMWORK
Who here has travelled to a foreign country, where you did not speak the language?
Raise your hand if you remember having to pay very close attention when the natives
of the country were speaking to you?
We may not have to use that level of engagement in relating to diverse co-workers,
but we are likely to listen a little more carefully. As we saw in “Tappers and Listeners,”
listening is an important part of communication.
3. It enables teams to think CREATIVELY, fostering “out of the box” solutions.
Remember the image “Bikes and Birds”? In our discussion about that image, we
talked about how two existing ideas can often be put together to come up with a
brand-new third idea. Because diversity brings people from very different
backgrounds together, we might say there are more “ideas in the room.” Of course,
that means more new ideas are in the room, too!
4. It encourages team members to use their SKILLS and focus on what each person
is good at doing.
5. It accelerates PRODUCTIVITY, as you can better reach diverse customers.
6. It helps people APPRECIATE each other and discourages the comparison trap.
Case Study – Watch the Video
• Watch the peacock in the land of penguins’
[Link]
“Strength lies in differences, not in similarities.” – Steven Covey
The value of “US” instead of “ME”.
EMPLOYABILITY IN THE 21ST CENTURY 5
UNIT 8: TEAMWORK
Let us consider the examples of:
The band U2 and its lead singer Bono. U2. Lead singer Bono is known all over the
world, and he and his band have filled stadiums for over thirty years now. But do you
know they do not see themselves as simply a rock band? They are a team of very
different artists with different skill sets, yet with a single mission.
When they launched in the 1970s, all four band members agreed upon their values
and vision -that they would be about social justice, not just songs. In other words, their
music had a mission: to promote human rights and to end poverty. Once they signed
their agent, they agreed the five of them would make decisions together and never
move forward on big ones until they all agreed. They would act as brothers, and if one
was experiencing personal trouble, they would all have his back and support him. They
would also split the money evenly five ways.
During the 1980s this spirit of teamwork became vividly clear. They were touring the
US and singing one of their hit songs, “Pride (In the Name of Love).” The song is about
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and U2 was promoting the idea of creating a holiday in his
honour. When they arrived at some cities, however, they got mixed reviews. Some did
not like what the song stood for. In fact, in one city Bono received a death threat -
saying he would be shot and killed onstage if he sang it.
As U2 discussed the issue, everyone except Bono believed they should drop the song
from their playlist. It was not worth getting shot at onstage. But Bono refused to give
in. After all, this message was what they stood for. He finally won the argument,
knowing he would be a sitting duck as he sang that night. Bono said later that when
he began singing it he closed his eyes, just waiting for bullets to fly. When he opened
them, however, he looked up to see that his fellow band members were taking turns
stepping in front of him to guard him and take the bullet.
Boston Red Sox. Symphonies do not need every musician to play the same
instrument, they need variety. The Boston Red Sox are a prime example. In 2012,
they finished in last place in their division. This baseball team had a history of
disappointing fans, once going eighty-six years without winning the World Series. 2012
was just another disappointing season.
But 2013 would be different. They put together an incredibly diverse team, with players
from many different countries, including Mexico, Japan, Aruba, Venezuela, Canada,
EMPLOYABILITY IN THE 21ST CENTURY 6
UNIT 8: TEAMWORK
the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and the US. The team looked a bit like the United
Nations. Each of them brought unique value to the team. They spoke different
languages; players were both old and young; they had different skin colours and a
variety of customs. But boy-did they play well together. In 2013, they went from worst
to first, winning their third World Series title since 2004. You might even say it was
their diversity that enabled them to win. They knew they had to work to connect with
each other, to perform in sync and to communicate well. This work drove them to play
to each other's strengths. Different is beautiful. The truth is, when you begin with
diversity, not uniformity, it usually pays off in the end. (See page 88.)
What is the difference between Equality & Equity?
EQUALITY is giving the people the _________________________.
EQUITY is ______________________ in every situation.
We have to therefore EMBRACE DIVERSITY.
Self-Assessment
On the scale below, circle your most honest and accurate responses:
1. I work to see the value of others who are different from me.
Never 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Always
2. I seek out others who have strengths where I am weak, to learn from them.
Never 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Always
3. I value other team members and prefer to work in cooperation, not alone.
Never 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Always
EMPLOYABILITY IN THE 21ST CENTURY 7
UNIT 8: TEAMWORK
Take Home Exercise
This week, set a goal to accomplish something you could not possibly do alone. In
fact, choose a project that requires people with different talents and perspectives than
you possess yourself. Make sure it is big and challenging. It could be something on
your campus, at work, or in your community.
Next, list the steps required to achieve this goal. Make a plan, listing the necessary
steps along the way to get the job done. Then choose the appropriate people who
have strengths that complement your own, and invite them to help you with the project.
Communicate the goal and the deadline clearly, and set times to meet to discuss how
you will collaborate on the project. Lead the way, and see it through to the end.
Celebrate, and then take time to reflect on the work you have pulled off.
Discuss your experience with your class. What did you learn?
EMPLOYABILITY IN THE 21ST CENTURY 8
