People skills Having people skills is a key requirement in most organisations today. You cannot choose your colleagues

The aim of this unit is: Not to make you a ‘perfect’ person but to help you to understand about ‘people skills’ so that you can develop you own skills in this area and also learn some strategies for coping when things go wrong!

What does this unit contain Team tasks You’ve got to plan and implement a substantial event working as a team As an individual you’ll have to really understand the workings of a team, how to make it work You’ve got to lead a group discussion I’ve got to witness you working as part of a team

Unit details continued Your review of your teamwork tasks You’ve got to reflect on what you’ve achieved during the activities How the team worked together/or not How you helped the team to plan and at the same time organise your own activities Evaluate yourself and others Participate fully

Team work What is a team? A group of people working towards the same goal

What does ‘teamwork’ mean to you? It is important to keep good relationships with people you work with and with others.

Some of the skills needed could be: good communication enthusiasm listening skills respecting others keeping an open mind being assertive

Forming a team There are studies that show what kind of a team player you are I have created a questionnaire ‘Team roles questionnaire’ on iLearn – have a go and see what it says.

How do you keep up good relationships? Accept requests courteously Listening properly and giving feedback Offer suggestions and help Requesting assistance politely Sort out any difficulties professionally Make constructive criticisms

How would you respond to the following approaches? Which Mark would you most like to work with – and why?

Listening task… Working in pairs/3’s Tell your partner what you have done this week or last weekend – or your last holiday (speak for about 3 minutes) Ask them to repeat back what you’ve said Swap roles TIP: before listening actively stop what you’re doing and clear you mind.

Did you … Drift off? Get embarrassed? Focus on some things rather than others? Become frustrated because you cannot enter the conversation?

You’re going to be working as part of a team – What do you think could go wrong?

Top tips for trouble-free teamwork: Make sure you know what needs to be done and the tasks that you have to do Know what resources are available to you Are there any deadlines? You need to find out. Know the procedure to follow if you have a problem

Remember … Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance

How to plan: can you answer the following questions? What’s our objective? Where are we going to work? What do I have to do? Why am I doing this? How do I do it? When do I have to do it by Who do I tell when I’ve done it?

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Reflection how did it go? Strengths Weaknesses did you succeed? what could you have done better

The importance of planning and communicating

Planning and organising your work See pink handout 1. Caretaker to reserve a parking spot (9am) photocopies for 9,45 am 3. Train times 4. Filing yesterday’s correspondence 5. Finish mail shot 6. VDU screens 7. Paying in the cheque 8. Telephoning Joan

Prioritising See purple exercise