Community Health Volunteer's Training Manual - Population Council

Teamwork
is like what happens in the jungle. Every animal is notorious for something but that can be
converted it a big advantage. Take the monkey which is known for its playfulness and malice.
When the animals have to be alerted to danger it is the monkey that they send to climb to
the top of the highest tree and keep watch. The lion thinks because it is the strongest of them
all it should be king.
The lioness takes advantage of this and puts the lion in charge of looking after her cubs as
she goes out to hunt. The elephant is big so it looks down upon all the other animals so the
others give him the job of pulling down trees for the smaller animals to graze on. Every team
member has a certain personality. Rather than complain about such characteristics, the
team leader should identify them and put them to good use. How can you use every team
member’s character to your advantage? Box 1.4.4 offers some suggestions.
Box 1.4.4: Ways to use advantages and disadvantages of teamwork to benefit
volunteers
1. Find out about team members’ talents and backgrounds, and give teamwork based on
them.
2. Work in small committees for effectiveness. Also, don’t let a few people highjack the work
or the work is left for a few people to do.
3. Encourage teams to work at making decisions at the right time each time they meet. That
is they must ensure that they have to weigh the alternatives, prioritise and choose the
best option.
4. Add on ...
Topic 4 Qualities of a team player
Football is the favourite sport of Ghanaians. When you watch the team play and they score
a goal, you are very happy. Who makes up the football team? We have strikers, defenders,
goal keepers, midfielders, etc. Each has a specific role to play and the specific task s/he must
perform in order for the team to win a match. That inner ability that helps each player play
his or her part is called the qualities of the team members.
Rules for working in a team
There are three basic rules that make working in a team interesting. They help members
develop qualities that enhance team dynamics and work. They are listed below. Exercise
1.4.4 will help you explain the three qualities.
1. Considering others better than yourself
2. Doing unto others what you want others to do unto you and,
3. Focusing on the goal of the team.
Using Exercise 1.4.4 discuss the qualities of team members.
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