FREE online courses on Is Your Team Effective - You As A Team Member - Basis of Team Work

• Communication;
• Co-ordination;
• Co-operation;
• Transfer of information;
• Examine the media.

Influence over Decision Making

In team work there is democracy where decisions are taken by a team vote. But this often leads to decision-making ‘paralysis' rather than team effectiveness. So the need arises for a team leader. Often a single individual is in a position to take a better decision, as he is able to grasp the nettle. So, in specific areas teams can sanction individuals to take the decisions. Every six months team reviews of decision-making process should be conducted.

Emphasize Your Expertise

In a small village of Bengal, a scholar was crossing a river on a boat. The boat man was a simple, illiterate man. His bookish knowledge was nil. The scholar began talking to him while he was sailing the boat. The scholar asked the man, “Have you read the Gita?” The boatman replied, “No sir, I have heard about it but not read it.”

The scholar then said, “Then my friend you have wasted your life. But tell me have you read the Arthashastra?”

Again the boatman showed his ignorance.

The scholar haughtily said, “Then my friend you have wasted your life.”

After some time suddenly there was a hole in the boat and it started sinking.

The boatman asked the scholar, “Sir, do you know swimming?”

“No, I don't know how to swim,” the scholar answered with anxiety.

The boatman said with a sigh, “Then my friend you have wasted your life.”

Each branch of knowledge has its place. Don't over emphasize your expertise and don't undervalue others!