Cooperation and teamwork

"Nobody is as smart as all of us together." [Japanese proverb]

The training we offer as part of this module focus on cooperation and teamwork and identify factors that increase the efficiency of problem solving in teams.

WHO IN YOUR COMPANY COULD PRIMARILY BENEFIT FROM "COOPERATION AND TEAMWORK" TRAINING:

Teams that want to use their group energy to achieve their goals.

EXAMPLES OF COOPERATION AND TEAMWORK TRAINING:

• Group problem solving
• Team role and team operation
• Facilitation and hosting of group discussion

GROUP PROBLEM SOLVING

Using groups to solve problems has been proven to be significantly more efficient than individual attempts to solve the same problem. This training focuses on specific problem-solving techniques that can be used to stimulate creative resolution of problem situations in teams.

After completing the training, participants will be able to:

• clearly define the problem situation that musts be resolved as well as the objectives of the solution,
• create good conditions and support constructive atmosphere for group problem solving,
  get all team members involved in group discussion, problem solving and decision making,
• apply various problem-solving techniques (synectic method, brainstorming, 6 hats, lateral thinking, mental mapping, etc.),
• turn suggestions into a feasible action plan.

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TEAM ROLE AND TEAM OPERATION

The rationale of the training is based on the Belbin team role typology. The training focuses on identification of team roles and understanding of how this structure is reflected in the operation of a team (advantages and risks). The objective is to facilitate the development of a team's strengths and minimize undesirable effects.

After completing the training, participants will be able to:

• apply the Belbin team role typology to increase teamwork efficiency,
• understand own team role, use its advantages and minimize risks,
• appreciate the input of other team members,
• create work groups that reflect the role of each individual.

FACILITATION AND HOSTING OF GROUP DISCUSSION

The success of a facilitated discussion depends to a certain degree on the facilitator's ability to support processes that seem constructive in terms of the defined goals while helping to steer the group away from "blind alleys". The facilitator does not interfere with the content of the discussion but rather focuses on the efficiency of mutual communication in order to help the group reach a consensus that meets its needs. The training should help participants learn how to host group meetings efficiently and keep an eye on the objectives.

After completing the training, participants will be able to:

• start and drive constructive discussion to increase the efficiency of problem solving and decision making,
• support the definition of SMART goals of group discussion,
• creatively use various facilitation techniques,
• steer the group dynamics in a way that supports constructive solutions,
• deal with potentially risky situations such as excessive assertiveness or lack of involvement of some members.

OUR GOOD PRACTICE EXAMPLE:

Members of the top management of a multinational financial group were dealing with complex tasks and felt they needed a simple and efficient tool that would provide them with a structure for group problem solving efforts. The objective of the training was to teach participants through experience to use a specific problem-solving technique in teamwork - the synectic method. It is based on metaphors and analogies produced by team members. We used a model situation proposed by the participants ("where do we want our company to go and how can we work together better to achieve this") and while solving the problem they were able to practice key skills involved in the synectic method to solve problems in a group. The training had a double effect: solution of a specific problem and the development of skills allowing managers to use the synectic method in the future.