Diversity, Inclusion + Team Working Flashcards
What is the role of a good manager?
- Identify strengths + weaknesses of team + play to them
- Share goals, objectives + successes
- Give feedback
- Keep work interesting
- Ensure team is adequately trained
- Delegate in responsible way
- Be fair + approachable
- Treat people with respect
- Listen to team
- Check in regularly with team
What is team working?
Group of people collaborating to complete a common goal or task
Involves sharing tasks, communicating effectively, and supporting each other to get the job done
What makes a good team member?
- Listening to other people’s ideas
- Discussing ideas with team
- Respecting others + their ideas
- Participation + ensuring all team members get involved
- Good communication skills
- Being positive + enthusiastic
- Not dominating discussions – letting quietest person have their say
What is the importance of team working / what are the benefits of team working?
Improves productivity
Increases efficiency
Increases creativity
Combines skills + strengths
Increases employee motivation + creates a positive work environment
What are the characteristics of an effective team?
Common sense of purpose
Clear understanding of team’s objectives
Resources
Mutual trust
Willingness to share knowledge + expertise
Willingness to speak openly
Range of skills among team
What are some key skills for effective teamworking?
Listening to other people’s ideas
Respecting other team members
Participating + encouraging others to participate
Identifying strengths + weakness of team members + playing to them
Communicating with others effectively
Helping others
What are some common barriers to effective team working?
Inadequate resources + training
Misunderstandings of objectives
Poor selection of team members
Wrong mix of skills + personalities
Poor leadership
Give me some examples of how you promote team working
Listen to other people’s ideas + ask questions
Am always honest with my team + maintain clear communication
I am enthusiastic + enjoy helping others + discussing ideas
Actively participate in team meetings
What do you contribute to your team?
My team has a shared goal of delivering work to clients within timescales agreed, making fees + always delivering a high level of client care + service
Individually, I carry out those things to reach our shared goal as a team
If members of the team are struggling, I step in + help them because of our shared goal
Tell me about an example of where you have worked well in a team
As a pool of graduates within my firm, we all work together to ensure we have the appropriate experience, while also meeting our clients’ needs
On one occasion, I noticed another graduate struggling with their workload, which was stopping them to gain experience in other areas
I stepped in to help them with their tasks. This helped them gain other experience + also provided me with experience in that area
The collaboration was mutually beneficial, enhancing both our skill sets + contributing to the success of our graduate team
Give me an example of how you use team working in your current role?
As part of a pool of graduates in my firm, we all have different APC competencies + experience
We work together as a team + regularly meet to ensure everyone gains the appropriate experience
By collaborating, we ensure everyone gains the necessary skills + experience to meet our competency requirements, while also ensuring our work remains on track + meets our clients’ needs
How would you measure team performance?
360 reviews (comprehensive evaluation method where employees receive feedback from multiple sources, e.g. peers, managers, clients. Provides holistic view of employee’s performance)
Client feedback (provides direct insight into how well team is meeting expectations)
Track KPIs (indicates how effectively individual or team is achieving key business objectives)
Monitor employment engagement levels
What is a common issue you have come across when working in a team?
Poor communication - can lead to misunderstandings + deadlines
When a new member joins your team, how do you welcome them?
Introduce them to the team + wider office
Provide an overview of team’s goal + their role
Pair them with a buddy
Ensure they have all the required resources, e.g. working laptop, training programme etc.
Schedule regular check ins
Why is accountability + responsibility important when working in a team?
Creates better working environments
Creates better relationships
Improves productivity
How would you deal with a member of the team who is negative towards a particular task?
Speak to team member + ask if everything is ok
Find out if they understand the task + communicate its important
Offer support if they need it + be positive
Speak to line manager if necessary
What is Tuckman’s Theory?
Describes the 5 stages teams go through as they develop
Why is Tuckman’s Theory useful?
Stages help understand team dynamics + improve teamwork
What are the 5 stages in Tuckman’s Theory?
- Forming
- Storming
- Norming
- Performing
- Adjourning/Mourning
What is Forming?
When people are working as individuals rather than as a team
Team members get to know each other
What is Storming?
Stage of conflict that teams need to pass through to achieve their potential
What is Norming?
Team starts to work together more effectively
What is Performing?
Team operates efficiently towards goals
What is Adjourning / Mourning?
Team disbands after achieving objectives
What is partnering?
When two or more parties form a relationship to share resources, risks + benefits to achieve shared goals
What is collaborative working?
Process of working together in cooperative manner, sharing knowledge, skills + resources to achieve better results than working alone
What is strategic alliance?
Agreement between 2+ parties to work together on a specific project or goal while remaining independent organisations
Allows them to share knowledge + resources to achieve mutual benefits
Explain your understanding of supply chain management
Process of overseeing entire flow of goods + services, from sourcing raw materials to delivering final product to customers
What does effective supply chain management mean?
It ensures products are delivered efficiently, cost-effectively + on time