Teamwork Skills (Page 1 of 2)	
Teamwork Skills	
What is teamwork? 
Teamwork is defined as the successful blending of the know-how and skills 
of persons working together on a job.  Each worker’s personality, know-how, 
and skills are blended together for the success of the team (or company).  
Workers who work together can create better stores, better products, or better 
ways of doing things than one worker can do alone.  
Success is TEAMWORK — Together Everyone Achieves  More!
What are the six steps in the teamwork process?
1.  Identify Project.  Team members discuss what is needed to solve the 
problem such as create a new product, increase customer sales, design a 
user-friendly store, improve the stockroom layout, or other project. 
2.  Figure Out What Is Needed.  Team members talk about:  What do we now have?  What do we need?  
How much money is in the budget?  What are the skills of each team member?  
3.  Brainstorm (Think Of) Solutions.  Team members think of solution ideas:  How do we create a better 
product?  What are pros (good things) and cons (bad things) of each idea?  What can each team member 
do to help?  During this step, team members exchange ideas, listen, discuss, and blend ideas together . 
4.  Decide Goal & Objectives.   Goal is decided (such as build a shed).   Objectives (or steps) to reach 
the goal are written down — draw design, get wood, level ground, measure, build) .   Team decides who 
is going to do what step — who gets the wood, who levels the ground, who measures, who builds.  
5.  Respectfully Work Together.   Team members trust that each member will do the job assigned to him 
or her.  Team members talk to each other about how to do the job, and how to help each other.
6.  Evaluate Outcome.   Did we do a good job?  Do we need to fix something?  
The teamwork process can be described by the 4 words in bold:  
•  Forming — #1 Identify Project — #2 Figure Out What Is Needed
•  Storming   — #3 Brainstorm (think of) Solutions
•  Norming — #4 Decide Goal & Objectives
•  Performing  — #5 Work Together — #6 Evaluate Outcome
SIX TYPES OF TEAM MEMBER ROLES — 
WHICH DESCRIBES YOU?
•  Leader.  Plans meetings.  Leads meetings.  Checks team members' 
work.  Keeps team members focused on getting the job done.
•  Problem Solver.  Suggests new ideas and ways of doing things.  Talks to team members to talk during 
brainstorming ideas for solutions.  Helps team members fix problems.
•  Encourager.  Keeps positive attitudes by giving each member or the entire team "pep talks" — words 
to give courage and energy to work together and do a good job.  Helps each worker to feel like an     
important part of the team.  
•  Mediator (Peace Maker).   Figures out the reason for conflict or arguments among team members.  
Thinks of solutions to keep peace on the team.  Can work well with dif ferent types of people.  Is      
sensitive to the thinking and feelings of all team members when solving conflicts.

Teamwork Skills (page 2 of 2)	
QUICK CHECK:
1. Define teamwork.  
2.  Workers who work together create better what?
3.  Write down one thing that happens during each 
step:  a) Identify Project.  b) Figure Out What 
Is Needed.  c) Brainstorm Solutions.  d) Define 
what an "objective" is.  e) Respectfully Work 
Together.  f) Evaluate Outcome.
4.  Teamwork process is described by what 4 words?
5.  List 2 things a team leader will do.
6.  List 2 things a team problem solver will do.
7.  List 2 things a team encourager will do.
8.  List 2 things a team mediator will do.	
9. List 2 things a team clarifier will do.
10.  List 2 things a team organizer will do. 
11.  Answer yes or no.  Do you think you are a — 
  a) Team Leader?   b) Team problem solver?  
  c) Team encourager?  d) Team mediator?  
  e) Team clarifier?  f) Team organizer?
12.  Write down your answer for the question:
  Give an example when you were part of a team. 
What was your role on the team?
13.  Together what does  Everyone Achieve?
14.  Pretend that you are the manager of  restaurant.  
Write down the reason why teamwork is so 
  important in a resturant between the cashier, food 
prep workers, cooks, and dining room attendant.
• 
Clarifier.  Listens and asks questions when team members talk about ideas and problems.  Makes    
comments and suggestions to help clear up anything that is confusing.  Helps team  
members see exactly what needs doing.  Answers questions.   
•  Organizer.  Keeps track of what job each team member is doing.  Takes notes at team 
meetings.  Keeps a file of important documents, papers, and sales receipts from stores 
where supplies are bought.  Keeps track of time deadlines needed to finish each part of 
the project.  Organizers are the memory of the team. 
QUESTIONS EMPLOYERS ASK — TO FIND OUT ABOUT TEAMWORK SKILLS
Q:  Do you prefer working independently (on your own) or on a team?  
Answer:  I am comfortable working as a member of a team and independently .  I have experience working 
on projects both as a team member, and on my own. 
Q:  Give an example when you were part of a team.  What was your role on the team? 
Answer:  I worked on a team to help the Drama Department plan and produce the spring play .  My 
teamwork roles included problem solver, encourager, and mediator.  I enjoy thinking of solutions for a 
problem.  I try to make each person feel an important part of the team.   And, I try to help team members 
who are not getting along to find a solution so everyone is happy . 
Q:  What do you enjoy about teamwork?
Answer:  I enjoy working with different types of people and 
thinking of new ideas to do a project.  I realize that today’s work 
world requires different people, ideas, and skills working together 
to create the best product.
Q:  Have you experienced conflict among team members?  
Q:  What would you do if you did?    Answer:  Yes, I have seen some conflicts when working in teams.
It is each person's responsibility to get along and do their best for the good of the team.  I try to respectfully 
talk to team members who are having a conflict to help us all reach a good solution.