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Chapter 14
Tools to help you plan and
support self care
Tool 11
How well is your team functioning?
Why you should use this
Good teamwork does not just happen. Take time out as a team away from the workplace to review how you are working together.
When to use this
A team away day when the team is reviewing progress or preparing to promote a new initiative such as supporting self care.
What to do
| Ask everyone to complete the quiz below.1 |
|
| There is good communication between colleagues at work There is good communication between managers and staff Team members’ functions are clear Staff are proud to be working in your practice/unit Doctors/managers resolve staff problems Staff are treated with respect by doctors and managers There is a person-friendly culture at work There are opportunities for staff for self-improvement Positive feedback about performance is the norm at work Staff are well trained for the tasks they are asked to do Team members’ responsibilities are clear There is good leadership of the team |
usually/seldom/not at all usually/seldom/not at all usually/seldom/not at all usually/seldom/not at all usually/seldom/not at all usually/seldom/not at all usually/seldom/not at all usually/seldom/not at all usually/seldom/not at all usually/seldom/not at all usually/seldom/not at all usually/seldom/not at all |
Score: usually = 3, seldom = 1, not at all = 0.
Scores between 27 and 36: you have a well functioning team
Scores between 24 and 15: look at your weak areas and make plans for improvements
Scores of 15 and below: as you have a long way to go, it may be best for you to consider using an external consultant to help facilitate team development
How it works (insight)
Everyone should have an equal chance of giving their perspective as to how the team is
functioning. Completing the quiz independently allows everyone to be honest.
Whom to engage
Everyone in the team.
How much time you should allow
Ten minutes to complete the quiz and whatever time it takes to collate the results. Then up to one hour to discuss the collated responses and what changes should be made to improve teamwork and relationships.
What a facilitator should do
Arrange for everyone to complete a copy of the quiz, anonymously. Collate the responses. Feed back the overall response to the team and facilitate the subsequent discussion about the way forward.
What to do next
Keep a watchful eye on the agreed changes being implemented and arrange a review with key members of the team of the progress made.
What makes it work better
Creation of the feeling and belief that every team member is valued.
What can go wrong
Team leaders can be affronted by feedback from others that reveals the team is not working as well as they believed. Team leaders may lack insight and refuse to take action despite constructive feedback and discussion from others in the team.
Reference
1 Chambers R and Davies M. What Stress in Primary Care! London: Royal College of General Practitioners; 1999.