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Trouble with Teamwork
Mary Owen examines the role and efficiency of teams
Recruiters say that candidates who can give examples ofwork they have done as
members of a successful team are in asstrong a position as those who can point
to significant individualachievement. Indeed, too much of the latter may suggest
thatthe person concerned is not a 'team player' - one of the moreserious
failings in the book of management.
The importance of being a team player is a side effect of the increasing
interaction acrossdepartments and functional divides. Instead of pushing
reports, paperwork and decisions aroundthe organisation, 'teams provide a
dynamic meeting place where ideas can be shared and expertisemore carefully
targeted at important business issues,' says Steve Gardner, in his book
KeyManagement Concepts. He adds, 'Globalisation has added a further dimension to
teamwork.Multinational teams now study policy decisions in the light of their
impact on the local market.'
But is teamworking being overdone? 'Some managers are on as many as seven or
eightdifferent teams', says Dr Cathy Bandy, a psychologist who recently ran a
conference on thesubject. 'They take up so much time that managers can't get on
with core tasks.' Forming teamsand having meetings has, she says, become an end
in itself, almost regardless of purpose. There isalso the danger of an unhealthy
desire to keep the team going after the work has been done. 'People feel the
need to belong, and team membership can provide a kind of
psychologicalsupport.'
The idea behind teamworking is that, when the right group of people is
brought together, a'force' develops which is greater than the sum of their
individual talents. This is often true in sport,where good players can reach
unexpected heights as members of an international team.However,few business
situations have as clear a set of objectives, or as clear criteria of success
orfailure, as winning a match.
'In business, everyone needs to be clear about what the challenge is and
whether a team isthe right way of approaching it', says Steve Gardner.
'Unfortunately, people focus instead on whothe members of the team should be and
what roles they are to play' Dr Bandy agrees. 'There isalways a danger that
teams can turn into committees,' she says. 'In a lot of situations, one or
twoindividuals would be much more effective.'
So what makes a successful team? There are some general qualities that have
been identified.Steve Gardnerrecommends that in every team there should be
someone who is good atresearching ideas and another who is good at shooting down
impractical ones. There should bethose who can resolve the tensions that
naturally occur in a team and others who are focused ongetting the job done.
Also, providing a clear and achievable target at the outset is the best way
ofensuring that the team will move on to greater things.
13、 What point does the writer make about teamworking at the beginning of the
article?
A It is the most successful form of management.
B It has changed the recruitment procedure in companies.
C Well-run teams still allow individuals to demonstrate their talents.
D Being a team player is now considered an essential management skill.
14 、According to the article, teamwork developed within companies as a
response to
A modern office design.
B changing work practices.
C a reduction in administrative tasks.
D the expansion of international business.
15 、In the third paragraph, Dr Bandy suggests that
A many employees do not enjoy working in teams.
B some managers are not very effective team leaders.
C some teams are created unnecessarily.
D few teams are well organised.
16 、According to the writer, teamwork is more effective in the field of sport
because the players
A know what they want to achieve.
B are more competitive by nature.
C have more individual talent.
D can be driven by national pride.
17 、Steve Gardner and Dr Bandy agree that when a business team is created
people do notpay enough attention to
A the structure of the team.
B alternatives to the team.
C selecting the team members.
D directing the team's activities.
18、 What is Steve Gardner's advice on operating a successful team?
A Maintain a flexible approach to membership.
B Allow personalities to develop within the team.
C Select people who fit naturally into certain roles.
D Make every effort to avoid conflict between members.
Section D
Even if you get work done and generally get along with co-workers, you could
have habits that bug your boss (not to mention your officemates). While these
quirks may not necessarily get you fired, they certainly can keep you from
climbing the corporate ladder. We’ve uncovered a number of habits that bug your
boss and offer tips on how to avoid them.
According to LaRhonda Edwards, a human resources manager with thirteen years
of HR experience, tardiness is one of the biggest concerns for managers. “If the
normal work day starts at 8 o’clock, then the expectation is that you’re in the
office ready to start your day,” she explains. Her advice to the chronically
late? “Plan ahead,” she urges. “If you live 50 minutes away, you don’t leave 50
minutes early. Tag on extra time and anticipate road blocks.” Some people even
set their clocks a few minutes early to ensure that they’re on time. Different
bosses prefer different modes of communication. Lindsey Pollak, a workplace
expert and author of Getting from College to Career, says if you text your boss
and she prefers in-person meetings, “either your information won’t get across or
you’ll irritate [her].” Fortunately, there’s a simple fix: ask your boss how and
when to send updates. If you’re too shy to ask outright, then Pollak suggests
observing how they communicate with you. “If you have a boss who communicates
once a day by email, that’s the boss’ preferred frequency and method of
communication,” explains Pollak.
A cluttered, messy work space can give your boss the impression that you’re
lazy or disorganized, so try to keep your desk neat. “Never put more on your
desk than you’re going to work on for the day,” recommends Edwards. “At the end
of the day, make sure you set up for the next day. I may be working on five
things at once, but at the end of the day, they’re gone, and I set up for the
next day.” Most managers would rather you ask a question than make a mistake,
but many questions can be answered on your own. “Is this something you could
Google or ask a colleague?” wonders Pollak. “The internet is so vast that a lot
of information you can get yourself.” If you must approach your boss with a
question or issue, then Pollak recommends brainstorming beforehand. “Rather than
saying ‘This client is terrible. What should I do?’ think about potential
solutions,” she says.
Cell phones are practically ubiquitous in the workplace these days, but it’s
still disruptive and disrespectful when they go off during a meeting. Edwards
says that you should, “put your cell phone on vibrate or leave it in your own
office so it’s not a distraction.” That way you won’t be tempted to text
either
( )6.According to the article, how many pieces of advice are offered here?
.
A. Two B. Three C. Four D. Five(B)
( )7.What is this article about? .
A. How to be successful in the workplace.
B. How to communicate with your boss.
C. How to avoid quirks that annoy your boss.
D. How to utilize your mobile phones at work.
( )8.What does the phrase “to get across” in the sentence “…she prefers
in-person meetings, “either your information won’t get across or you’ll irritate
…” of the second paragraph mean? .
A. To be communicated B. To be passed
C. To be promoted D. To be anticipated(A)
( )9.According to the article, which of the following modes of communication
is the best when communicating with your boss? .
A. Any ways you think are appropriate.
B. In-person meetings.
C. Correspondence.
D. The way your boss communicates with you.(D)
( )10.Which of the following statements is not mentioned?
A. Employees should pay respect to their bosses anytime.
B. Employees should plan beforehand so as to show up at work on time.
C. Employees should not let their mobile phones go off during meetings.
D. Employees should keep their desks neat and organized.
