Kaveh Same

By Kaveh Same and Nastaran Maghbouli

The term “team” comes from the Proto-Germanic word “taumaz,” meaning to pull and was originally used to refer to a group of yoked animals. Teams are social constructs that require a high level of interdependence in individual tasks and ongoing communication among members to achieve common goals. Different types of teams are classified based on their level of performance, with high-performing teams meeting specific criteria and demonstrating extraordinary performance and highly committed members. Various theories and approaches have been developed to understand the inner workings of effective teams, including social psychological, sociotechnical, ecological, human resources, technological, team lifecycle, task-oriented, and integrative approaches. Specific teamwork skills, such as adaptability, leadership, and effective communication, are essential for the success of a team. Assessing these skills can be challenging, as they are impacted by the specific task and team goals, leading to the need for careful and objective measurement. Developing reliable assessment tools and understanding the evolving nature of teams is crucial for accurately evaluating and improving teamwork skills. Addressing teamwork challenges requires attention to trust, clarity, conflicts, communication, and competition, with strong leadership playing a crucial role.

Part of the book: Multi-Disciplinary Teamwork in the Healthcare Setting [Working title]