Title: Explain the importance of teamwork in the workplace.
Course: Principles of Business and Marketing (12051-36) > Section: Developing Communication and Interpersonal Skills

Explanation should include the following contributions of teamwork to achievement of workplace success:

- Provides a means to draw on the collective strengths of individual employees (socioeconomic backgrounds; family values; personal qualities such as temperament, patience, tact, attitude; levels of skill and experience in an assignment)
- Allows employees to learn from coworkers
- Encourages team members to share and evaluate ideas
- Focuses team members on setting and working toward common goals
- Gives employees a sense of empowerment and personal investment in decision making and goal accomplishment

Process/Skill Questions:

- How does teamwork help build positive relationships in the workforce?
- What factors enhance or limit an employee’s ability to relate to people of different ages, abilities, ethnic origins, and genders?
- What factors influence attitudes about cooperation, collaboration, compromise, teamwork, and group membership?
- What traditional American values may seem to conflict with teamwork? How can teamwork be achieved despite these conflicting values?
- What are the potential benefits of cooperation in pursuit of goals for the individual and for the group?
- What might be the advantages of working in a homogeneous group? Of working in a heterogeneous group?
- What ethical issues may arise when groups attempt to gain cooperation from their members? When might a group member justifiably refuse to cooperate?
- What are some consequences when employees do not work as a team?
- How can conflicts among employees be resolved? How can employee-management conflicts be resolved?