Transcript Lisa Harris - Supercomputing Challenge

Lisa Harris
Chief of Staff,
Departmental Computing Services Division
Network Infrastructure Engineering Division
Los Alamos National Laboratory
Overview
 What
is teamwork, really?
 Setting
7
Goals
Essential Skills for Teamwork
Teamwork

“Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a
common vision. The ability to direct individual
accomplishments toward organizational objectives.
It is the fuel that allows common people to attain
uncommon results.” Andrew Carnegie

“The achievements of an organization are the
results of the combined effort of each individual.”
Vincent Lombardi
Teamwork Defined

Work done by several associates with each
doing a part but all subordinating personal
prominence to the efficiency of the whole”


http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/teamwork
Basically, collaboration, cooperation, coordination
There is no “I” in teamwork

BUT… there is a “me” – each team member



Must have an interest in the team
Must have a desire to the direction and
completion of the task
Must understand “what is in it for me”
Perspectives

Each person brings their own perspectives to
the table
A perspective is a person’s point of view or
standpoint
 We all have differing views and ideas
 We all have different experiences

…ready to try it???
Picture Game – Round 1
Part 2 - Goals
Reach Goal
Stick to It!
Get to Work
Make Plan
Set Goal
Establish Clear Goals

When you set goals for your team, you are
giving them a purpose.
Encourage “group think”
 Reminder: this is not a team of 1

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When the goals are clear, people know
exactly what they need to do.

It gives them focus to work on.
More Goal Setting

Clear goal setting helps you to distribute work
in the right manner.

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If requirements are clear, it is easier to assess
which members of your team can handle which
jobs effectively.
Identify long term objectives and set short
term goals

Constant communication will help
Be SMART
Picture Game – Round 2
1. Different colored metals
2. Odd sock color
3. Only person smiling
Part 3 – Team Work Skills

7 Essential Skills for Teamwork
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Listening
Questioning
Persuading
Respecting
Helping
Sharing
Participating
1. Listening

Each person needs to listen to each other’s
ideas

Encourage feedback and dialog

New ideas or concepts can evolve from
building off of one another
2. Questioning

Encourage each team member to interact,
discuss and poise opposing ideas to questions

Challenge them to think “outside the box”

One person’s confusion or misunderstanding
can stonewall a solution
3. Persuading

Encourage team members to exchange,
defend and rethink ideas

Each will need to evaluate what they are
willing to sacrifice and what they are not
willing to give up

“Pick your battle”
4. Respecting

Each person deserves to be treated with
respect, as well as their ideas

Team members need to encourage and
support each other

Especially if they are falling behind schedule
5 & 6. Helping & Sharing

Encourage each team member to share

Offer ideas and share ideas with one another

Help in areas where there is confusion or
“stalling”

Don’t wait until it is too late!
7. Participating

Hard work and dedication are essential

Identify areas where each person has strengths
and interest

Encourage team members to prepare a plan with
milestones to make sure things are not falling off
the radar
Summary
Teaming is not hard, but it does take effort!
 Encourage dialog and continual
communication
 Offer your support and guidance


Don’t be too busy to help!
Picture Game – Final Round