Tabletop – This is also a discussion similar to a seminar but usually involves smaller groups. The public services and any other agencies talk through the way and order they would respond to a specific incident if it was happen for real. They are normally conducted in a conference room around a conference table. These exercises are effective for testing these incident plans, as they bring up and highlight and weaknesses in a safe environment where people lives are not at risk.
Physical Training – Physical training is one the best ways to do conduct and effective team work. A good example of this is when playing sports such as rugby, football, basketball etc. This is because the whole team motivate eachother to try and win the game which gives a high team spirit, and a good sense of teamwork. It can also help the less able members of the team make a large improvement, as they are encouraged by the better players in the team.
Team Building – Team building exercises can be anything that bring a team together and make them work together efficiently. It can include activities like outdoor training courses, or making teams work together to complete a task for e.g., getting over a bridge without being able to touch the water but only being allowed to use the provided resources. Or just bringing people together to find better ways of working.
Achieving objectives – A major goal of working in a team in a work area is to achieve the objectives set by the organisation. These might includes things such as reducing patient waiting times, lowering response times or to reduce crime rate in a certain area. If completed it gives a great sense of achievement throughout the team.
Planning and achieving a project – In most work places they will have projects that require a lot of planning and carrying out instructions in a team. The team leader is mostly responsible for developing skills, to ensure that they complete a project and monitoring its success but are also responsible if the project fails.
Dr Bruce Tuckman
Dr Bruce Tuckman published his model of team development in 1965 which consisted of 4 stages;
- Forming
- Storming
- Norming
- Performing
However in 1975 he added a 5th stage known as adjourning. It’s the theory of how teams from the start of a given task to the end. Teams that go through these stages properly should show;
- Openness
- Cooperation
- Good decision making skills
- Appropriate leadership
- Individual development
- Clear objectives and goals
Team building in the public services is the same as any other job. There are many different ways that can improve team cohesion like days off, meetings, social events, group training and residential experiences.
Training – New team members should get the training they require. However it weakens teams if new workers who just ‘sit in’ and do not contribute to the team properly.
Coaching – This is linked into sports teams more than public services, it could be seen as part of the training
Mentoring – This is when a more experienced member of staff guides the new recruits to a new team. It is used often in the public services for e.g. the police it is extremely valuable in the police as it could help a new officer feel part of the force.
Motivation – This has a lot to do with the nature of the work and the team, also the goals and needs of the new worker also knowing their team roles and what they contribute to the team. Also the pay and working conditions will affect someone’s motivation.
Team Knowledge - This develops with time; the most important thing for a new team member it is important not to judge the rest of the team to quickly. It is also important for leaders to understand their teams.
