Effective Teamwork and Collaboration
*Course Description*
This course explores the principles, strategies, and skills necessary for effective teamwork in professional, academic, and community settings. Students will engage in experiential learning, case studies, and collaborative projects to develop communication, conflict resolution, leadership, and problem-solving skills. Emphasis is placed on understanding team dynamics, diversity, and virtual collaboration tools.
*Learning Objectives*
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
1. Explain the stages of team development and roles within a team.
2. Apply communication strategies to foster collaboration and resolve conflicts.
3. Demonstrate leadership skills that adapt to diverse team needs.
4. Utilize tools and techniques for effective virtual teamwork.
5. Evaluate team performance and provide constructive feedback.
*Required Materials*
- *Textbook:* The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni (or similar teamwork-focused book).
- *Articles/Case Studies:* Provided via the course platform.
- *Software:* Collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Trello, Microsoft Teams, Zoom).
Course Evaluation*
| Component | Weight | Details |
|-------------------------|--------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Participation | 15% | Active engagement in discussions, activities, and peer feedback. |
| Group Project | 30% | Multi-stage team project with deliverables (proposal, presentation). |
| Midterm Exam | 20% | Covers theories, models, and case studies. |
| Individual Reflection | 15% | Journals or essays on personal growth and team experiences. |
| Final Presentation | 20% | Team presentation of project outcomes and lessons learned. |
*Weekly Schedule*
*Week 1: Introduction to Teamwork*
- What makes a team effective?
- Stages of team development (Tuckman’s Model).
- Activity: Icebreaker team-building exercise.
*Week 2: Communication in Teams*
- Active listening and assertive communication.
- Barriers to communication and overcoming them.
- Activity: Role-playing scenarios.
*Week 3: Roles and Responsibilities*
- Belbin’s Team Roles or RACI Matrix.
- Aligning strengths with team tasks.
- Case Study: Analysing successful/unsuccessful teams.
*Week 4: Conflict Resolution*
- Types of conflict (task, process, relational).
- Negotiation and mediation techniques.
- Workshop: Resolving simulated team conflicts.
*Week 5: Diversity and Inclusion in Teams*
- Cultural, cognitive, and personality diversity.
- Creating an inclusive team environment.
- Activity: Implicit bias discussion.
*Week 6: Leadership and Accountability*
- Servant leadership vs. authoritative leadership.
- Building trust and accountability.
- Guest Speaker: Industry professional on team leadership.
*Week 7: Virtual Collaboration*
- Challenges of remote teams.
- Tools for virtual communication and project management.
- Simulation: Managing a virtual team project.
*Week 8: Evaluating Team Performance*
- Metrics for success (KPIs, feedback loops).
- Peer evaluations and 360-degree feedback.
- Activity: Team retrospective (What worked? What didn’t?).
*Week 9-10: Group Project Work*
- Teams develop and present solutions to real-world problems.
- Instructor feedback sessions.
*Week 11: Final Presentations*
- Team presentations and Q&A.
- Course wrap-up and reflection.
*Course Policies*
- *Attendance:* Mandatory for in-person activities; exceptions for emergencies.
- *Late Work:* 10% penalty per day unless approved.
- *Academic Integrity:* Collaboration is encouraged, but plagiarism is prohibited.
- *Accommodations:* Notify the instructor in advance for disability-related needs.
*Additional Resources*
- Harvard Business Review articles on teamwork.
- TED Talks: "The Power of Vulnerability in Teams" (Brené Brown).
- Online modules on emotional intelligence and collaboration tools.
