Suggested Reading Materials_Unit 1

TeamworkFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaTeamwork is a joint action by two or more people, in which each person contributes with different skills and express his or her individual interests and opinions to the unity and efficiency of the group in order to achieve common goals.This does not mean that the individual is no longer important; however, it does mean that effective and efficient teamwork goes beyond individual accomplishments. The most effective teamwork is produced when all the individuals involved harmonize their contributions and work towards a common goal.In order for teamwork to succeed one must be a teamplayer. A teamplayer is one who subordinates personal aspirations and works in a coordinated effort with other members of a group, or team, in striving for a common goal. Businesses and other organizations often go to the effort of coordinating team building events in an attempt to get people to work as a team rather than as individuals.The forming-storming-norming-performing model takes the team through four stages of team development and maps quite well on to many project management life cycle models, such as initiation - definition - planning - realization.As teams grow larger, the skills and methods that people require grow as more ideas are expressed freely. Managers must use these to create or maintain a spirit of teamwork change. The intimacy of a small group is lost, and the opportunity for misinformation and disruptive rumors grows.[edit] ReferencesChaudron, David (2007) "Teams and Teamwork". Journal of Organized Change.Bruce Tuckman's 1965 Forming Storming Norming Performingteam-development modelDr Bruce Tuckman published his Forming Storming Norming Performing model in 1965. He added a fifth stage, Adjourning, in the 1970s. The Forming Storming Norming Performing theory is an elegant and helpful explanation of team development and behaviour. Similarities can be seen with other models, such as Tannenbaum and Schmidt Continuum and especially with Hersey and Blanchard's Situational Leadership® model, developed about the same time.Tuckman's model explains that as the team develops maturity and ability, relationships establish, and the leader changes leadership style. Beginning with a directing style, moving through coaching, then participating, finishing delegating and almost detached. At this point the team may produce a successor leader and the previous leader can move on to develop a new team. This progression of team behaviour and leadership style can be seen clearly in the Tannenbaum and Schmidt Continuum - the authority and freedom extended by the leader to the team increases while the control of the leader reduces. In Tuckman's Forming Storming Norming Performing model, Hersey's and Blanchard's Situational Leadership® model and in Tannenbaum and Schmidt's Continuum, we see the same effect, represented in three ways.tuckman's forming storming norming performing four-stage modelHere are the features of each phase:forming - stage 1High dependence on leader for guidance and direction. Little agreement on team aims other than received from leader. Individual roles and responsibilities are unclear. Leader must be prepared to answer lots of questions about the team's purpose, objectives and external relationships. Processes are often ignored. Members test tolerance of system and leader. Leader directs (similar to Situational Leadership®'Telling' mode).storming - stage 2Decisions don't come easily within group. Team members vie for position as they attempt to establish themselves in relation to other team members and the leader, who might receive challenges from team members. Clarity of purpose increases but plenty of uncertainties persist. Cliques and factions form and there may be power struggles. The team needs to be focused on its goals to avoid becoming distracted by relationships and emotional issues. Compromises may be required to enable progress. Leader coaches (similar to Situational Leadership® 'Selling' mode).norming - stage 3Agreement and consensus is largely forms among team, who respond well to facilitation by leader. Roles and responsibilities are clear and accepted. Big decisions are made by group agreement. Smaller decisions may be delegated to individuals or small teams within group. Commitment and unity is strong. The team may engage in fun and social activities. The team discusses and develops its processes and working style. There is general respect for the leader and some of leadership is more shared by the team. Leader facilitates and enables (similar to the Situational Leadership®'Participating' mode).performing - stage 4The team is more strategically aware; the team knows clearly why it is doing what it is doing. The team has a shared vision and is able to stand on its own feet with no interference or participation from the leader. There is a focus on over-achieving goals, and the team makes most of the decisions against criteria agreed with the leader. The team has a high degree of autonomy. Disagreements occur but now they are resolved within the team positively and necessary changes to processes and structure are made by the team. The team is able to work towards achieving the goal, and also to attend to relationship, style and process issues along the way. team members look after each other. The team requires delegated tasks and projects from the leader. The team does not need to be instructed or assisted. Team members might ask for assistance from the leader with personal and interpersonal development. Leader delegates and oversees (similar to the Situational Leadership® 'Delegating' mode).Teamwork in the Classroom/TeachingResources/ClassroomTips/Teamwork.htmWhat is Teamwork?Teamwork is defined in Webster's New World Dictionary as "a joint action by a group of people, in which each person subordinates his or her individual interests and opinions to the unity and efficiency of the group." T his does not mean that the individual is no longer important; however, it does mean that effective and efficient teamwork goes beyond individual accomplishments. The most effective teamwork is produced when all the individuals involved harmonize their contributions and work towards a common goal.Why Should Teachers be Interested in Teamwork?Teamwork has become an important part of the working culture and many businesses now look at teamwork skills when evaluating a person for employment. Most companies realize that teamwork is important because either the product is sufficiently complex that it requires a team with multiple skills to produce, and/or a better product will result when a team approach is taken. Therefore, it is important that students learn to function in a team environment so that they will have teamwork skill when they enter the workforce. Also, research tells us that students learn best from tasks that involve doing tasks and involve social interactions.Collaborative learning should be included in almost every classroom, but some teachers struggle with having students work cooperatively. There are a number of reasons for this struggle, which include the need to develop good team exercises and the added difficulty in assessing the individual performance of the team members. This is where understanding how to teach effective teamwork becomes a crucial task for the teacher.What is the Difference Between a Group Exercise and a Team Exercise?One of the first things that an instructor must recognize is the difference between an individual working as part of a group and an individual working as part of a team. Below is a list of the differences that exist between these categories. After reading through the list, it should be clear what the difference is and which one would be ideal in a classroom and the workplace.Characteristics of Effective Teams.The following are eight characteristics of effective teams the were identified by Larson and LaFasto in their book titled Teamwork: What Must Go Right/What Can Go Wrong (Sage Publications 1989).1.The team must have a clear goal. Avoid fuzzy, motherhood statements.Team goals should call for a specific performance objective,expressed so concisely that everyone knows when the objective has been met.2.The team must have a results-driven structure. The team should beallowed to operate in a manner that produces results. It is often best to allow the team to develop the structure.3.The team must have competent team members. In the education settingthis can be take to mean that the problem given to the team should be one that the members can tackle given their level of knowledge.4.The team must have unified commitment.This doesn't mean that teammembers must agree on everything. It means that all individuals must be directing their efforts towards the goal. If an individual'sefforts is going purely towards personal goals, then the team will confront this and resolve the problem.5.The team must have a collaborative climate.It is a climate of trustproduced by honest, open, consistent and respectful behavior. With this climate teams perform well...without it, they fail.6.The team must have high standards that are understood by all. Teammembers must know what is expected of them individually andcollectively. Vague statements such as "positive attitude" and"demonstrated effort" are not good enough.7.The team must receive external support and encouragement.Encouragement and praise works just as well in motivating teams as it does with individuals.8.The team must have principled leadership. Teams usually needsomeone to lead the effort. Team members must know that the team leader has the position because they have good leadership skills and are working for the good of the team. The team members will be less supportive if they feel that the team leader is puttinghim/herself above the team, achieving personal recognition orotherwise benefiting from the position.Stages of Team Growth.It is important for teacher and students (the team members) to know that teams don't just form and immediately start working together to accomplish great things. There are actually stages of team growth and teams must be given time to work through the stages and become effective. Team growth can be separated into four stages.Stage 1: Forming. When a team is forming, members cautiously explore the boundaries of acceptable group behavior. They search for their position within the group and test the leader's guidance. It is normal for little team progress to occur during this stage.Stage 2: Storming.Storming is probably the most difficult stage for the group. Members often become impatient about the lack of progress, but are still inexperienced with working as a team. Members may argue about the actions they should take because they faced with ideas that are unfamiliar to them and put them outside their comfort zones. Much of their energy is focused on each other instead of achieving the goal.Stage 3. Norming.During this stage team members accept the team and begin to reconcile differences. Emotional conflict is reduced as relationships become more cooperative. The team is able to concentrate more on their work and start to make significant progress.Stage 4. Performing. By this stage the team members have discovered and accepted each other's strengths and weaknesses, and learned what their roles are. Members are open and trusting and many good ideas are produced because they are not afraid to offer ideas and suggestions. They are comfortable using decision making tools to evaluate the ideas, prioritize tasks and solve problems. Much is accomplished and team satisfaction and loyalty is high.Since working as part of a team can improve learning and is a much needed skill in today's workplace, some team exercises should be included in the classroom. With well planned out tasks, careful guidance, and close observation, instructors can make team exercises extremely valuable learning experiences.Tracy McGradyFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaTracy Lamar McGrady, Jr., (born May 24, 1979, in Bartow, Florida) is an American professional basketball player, currently playing at shooting guard for the Houston Rockets in the National Basketball Association(NBA). He can also play as a small forward, and is commonly referred to as "T-Mac."Entering the league after graduating from high school, McGrady eventually became a seven-time All-Star. He led the league in scoring in 2003 and 2004. He spent the first seven years of his career with the Toronto Raptors and Orlando Magic before being traded to the Houston Rockets in 2004. McGrady was ranked #75 on SLAM Magazine's Top 75 Players of All-Time in 2003. McGrady's style of play has been compared to that of George Gervin. Tracy McGrady played high school basketball at Auburndale High School in Auburndale, Florida for three years. He then transferred to Mount Zion Christian Academy, in Durham, North Carolina. McGrady created a national buzz after his performance in the Adidas ABCD Camp, where the best high school players in the U.S. are invited annually. He was named High School Player of the Year by USA Today.NBA careerToronto Raptors (1997–2000)McGrady was drafted ninth overall in the first round of the 1997 NBA Draft by the Toronto Raptors. Chicago Bulls General Manager Jerry Krause had arranged a draft-day trade to send Scottie Pippen to the Vancouver Grizzlies for the fourth overall selection, which he would have used to draft McGrady. Krause was forced to call off the deal when Michael Jordan threatened to retire if it was made.In McGrady's first two seasons with the Raptors, he averaged less than 10 points per game, mainly coming off the bench. In his second season, he began playing alongside his third cousin, Vince Carter, who would go on to win the Rookie of the Year Award that season. The 1999–2000 season was McGrady's first breakout season in the NBA. He was a starter in 34 games out of 79, averaging 15.4 points per game, and a career-high 1.9 blocks per game. McGrady also competed in the 2000 Slam Dunk Contest, finishing third, behind Carter and Steve Francis.In 2000, the duo of McGrady and Carter helped lead the Raptors to the playoffs, for the first time in franchise history. However, the team was swept 3–0 by the New York Knicks in the first round. McGrady was often overshadowed by Carter during his time in Toronto, and he became a free agent in the summer of 2000. In the off-season, he expressed interest in playing for family and friends in his home state of Florida.Orlando Magic (2000–2004)On August 3, 2000, McGrady was dealt to the Orlando Magic in asign-and-trade deal. In Orlando, he played alongside Grant Hill, who had been acquired that summer in hope of bringing Orlando back among the Eastern Conference's elite teams. However, ankle injury limited Hill to only 4 games and McGrady became the leader and 1st scoring option of the team. For the first time in his career McGrady was selected as an All-Star when he was voted by the fans to start in the midseason classic for the Eastern Conference. At season's end he was presented with the 2001 NBA Most Improved Player Award. Even though McGrady had elevated his game from solid contributor to star, the Magic were ousted in the first round of the playoffs by the Milwaukee Bucks.The following season, McGrady continued his great play. With Hill struggling with injuries, the Magic was a one-man show. He made his second All-Star team and First Team All-NBA while averaging 26 points per game. The Magic posted a 44–38 record for the year but they were beat again in the first round of the playoffs, this time by the Charlotte Hornets.In the 2002–03 season, McGrady averaged 32.1 points per game and captured the NBA scoring title, becoming the youngest player to do so since the ABA-NBA merger. Despite McGrady's personal accolades, the Magic failed to reach the second round of the playoffs. In a rather infamous moment, during the 2003 NBA Playoffs, the Magic (who were an #8 seed) surprisingly took a 3–1 series lead against the heavily favored #1 seed Detroit Pistons. Prior to the fifth game in Detroit, McGrady was quoted as saying that how wonderful it was to "finally be in the position to advance to the second round (of the playoffs)". Orlando, however, lost Games 5, 6, and 7 by an average of more than 20 points, and Detroit advanced to the second round.In the 2003–04 season, he once again captured the NBA scoring title, averaging 28 points per game, and set a career high with 62 points against the Washington Wizards on March 10, 2004. With this performance, he became the fourth player in the past 12 years to score over 60 points in a game.Houston Rockets (2004–present)On June 29, 2004, McGrady, Juwan Howard, Tyronn Lue, and Reece Gaines were traded to the Houston Rockets in a seven-player deal that sent Steve Francis, Cuttino Mobley, and Kelvin Cato to the Magic. In his first year with the Houston Rockets, McGrady teamed with 7'6" center Yao Ming, to end the season ranked 5th in the Western Conference. On December 9, 2004, he scored 13 points in the last 35 seconds of a game against the San Antonio Spurs, with four consecutive 3 pointers (one of which was part of a four-point play), including a steal and the game-winning 3 pointer with 1.7 seconds left in the game that helped the Rockets win 81–80. Despite McGrady's play in the first round of the 2005 NBA Playoffs, Houston was eliminated by the Dallas Mavericks in game seven by 40 points, despite starting the series with a 2-0 lead.In the early 2005–06 season, McGrady missed eight games because of multiple back spasms. His back problems resurfaced on January 8, 2006 when he had to be taken out at halftime in a game against the Denver Nuggets on a stretcher to the hospital because of severe back spasms. He had been out for five games. Since his return, the spasms have still been a problem for McGrady. In the 2005–06 season the Rockets were 2–15 in games he did not play in and 2–16 in games McGrady did not finish. While McGradywas injured for five games with his back injury, the Rockets did not win a single game. Other injuries include him falling on his back in a game against the Indiana Pacers.In the 2006–07 season, McGrady started out slowly, and after missing 7 games with back spasms he visited a doctor. In an interview with TNT, McGrady said that he thought that his body was slowing down. He believed that he could no longer be as explosive as he was in the past due to his back injury. Shortly after another bout with back spasms, McGrady went to Waco, Texas where Dr. John Patterson performed "Synergy Release Therapy" to cure his chronic back problems, particularly the back spasms.[5] However, since Yao Ming was having another breakout season, he was deferring to Yao as the number one option.[6] Since Yao went down with a leg injury, McGrady stepped up his overall play, re-establishing himself as one of the game's premier players and by doing so has led Houston to the 5th best record in the league. On December 29, 2006, he became the third youngest player in NBA history to reach 14,000 points and 4,000 rebounds. However, in the playoffs, the Rockets lost their first round series to the Utah Jazz4–3, again preventing McGrady from advancing to the second round of the playoffs. A tear fell down his cheek during the press-conference after losing game seven 103–99 to the Utah Jazz in the 2007 Playoffs.[8] Prior to the series with the Jazz, McGrady had stated in an interview with Stephen A. Smith that if he and the Rockets failed to make it out of the first round again, it was "on me". The next year the Jazz again eliminated the Rockets in six games, despite McGrady recording 40 points and 10 rebounds in the decisive Game Six, a 113–91 loss.On February 18, 2009, McGrady announced on his website that he would have surgery on his left knee and miss the remainder of the 2008–09 season. He had already missed 18 games before the All-Star break, including a two-week stretch in January, and said before the season that his knee was not healed from his off-season surgery. Head coach Rick Adelman, who found out about the announcement when he read the newspaper in the morning, criticized McGrady for not informing the team of the decision. He decided to have microfracture surgery in Chicago on February 24, 2009.McGrady is currently under a contract which will end following the 2009–10 NBA season, and the contract is worth an estimated $21.1 million per year.Mac says blame piles on him in playoffs (Houston Chronicle)Updated: 2008-04-24 09:07All those pointing at Tracy McGrady for the Rockets' failures in their playoff series against the Utah Jazz and his failure in getting beyond the first round in six playoff appearances on Wednesday added a surprisingvoice to their cause.McGrady blamed himself.Sort of.Mocking those who blame him, McGradyjoinedthe chorus."It's my fault," McGrady said. "It's my fault wemissed free throws. It's my fault we lost bothgames. Blame me. It's my fault we fouled to tiethe game up. That's my fault. It's my fault they geteasy layups. It's my fault we're not executing wellon the offensive end. It's my fault a couple peoplein the stands ordered Heinekens and they gotBudweiser. It's my fault. I'm sorry."Told the beer reference might have revealed his straight-faced sarcasm, McGrady rolled on. "I am serious," he said. "It's my fault. Everything is my fault. It's my fault. It's T-Mac's fault. "Everybody's blaming me. The Suns. I mean, everybody. That's what it seems like. It's my fault. I'm out there by myself."McGrady carried the Rockets for three quarterson Monday, scoring 22 points with 10 rebounds and nine assists. He had one point and three rebounds, without an assist in the fourth quarter as the Rockets fell into two-game hole in the series, explaining he was worn out in the fourth quarter.In the two games, he is 0-for-7 in fourth quarters, prompting debate on McGrady's play in this and past series."I'm in a tough position," McGrady said. "If I go out and try to be passive and we're not making shots, then we're in a hole. If I am aggressive and I have to stay that way,Houston Rockets' Tracy McGrady reacts after missing a free throw against the Utah Jazz during the second quarter in Game 2 of an NBA Western Conference playoff basketball series Monday, April 21, 2008 in Houston. The Jazz beat theRockets 90-84 to take a 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven series. [Agencies]then fourth quarter, I'm worn out, don't have the lift I do in the first three quarters."It's a tough situation to be in. Story of my season or my playoff career."This has become a greater issue with the Rockets shorthanded with the Rockets playing the first two games of the season with Yao Ming and Rafer Alston out."That's another one of my faults, that Rafer got hurt and Yao got hurt," McGrady said. "It's my fault. I'm sorry."Even some of the guys can't even believe it. I was talking to one of the guys and he was like, "I would hate to be you. I really can't believe what some of the people say about you, especially after playing the game you played the other night.' They can't believe it."Rockets coach Rick Adelman seemed surprised by the criticism as well, but said he was not concerned that it would affect McGrady."He's got a lot on his shoulders right now, no matter what he does," Adelman said. "He almost got a triple double and it still wasn't good enough. He's going to be fine. He's pretty tough mentally. He'll get through it."McGrady also said that he would not change the way he plays. Though he made it clear he was extremely aware of the criticism, he said it doesn't bother him.Is Tracy McGrady still a second round virgin?This is a discussion on Is Tracy McGrady still a second round virgin? within the NBA Forum forums, part of the BASKETBALL FORUMS category; He made no contribution to the playoffs. But contributed in getting them into the playoffs. Does that means he's broken ...JMEWLSGOATIs Tracy McGrady still a second round virgin?He made no contribution to the playoffs. But contributed in getting them into the playoffs. Does that means he's broken the 2nd round curse?elogan24Lakers 0809Re: Is Tracy McGrady still a second round virgin?T-Mac is still a 2nd-round virgin. The Rockets were 20-15 with McGrady in the lineup, and33-14 without him. The Rockets play better without him. I still like McGrady, but he's not fit for the Rockets. The one-man show from Orlando didn't work, so he tried making it a two-man show... while still playing a solo part. The R's are a much better team without him, because they do what they should: get it to Yao. When Yao touches the ball, good things happen.T-Mac didn't really get that.PFortyyCold Blooded!Re: Is Tracy McGrady still a second round virgin?yep...…………………Chemistry beats talent: Why Houston Rockets are better without Tracy McGradySource: NBA Blog , April 10, 09After all, improved chemistry helped Houston win 20 of 27 games since losing Tracy McGrady to a season-ending injury. And improved chemistry has boosted their chances of going deep in the playoffs.Why is Houston better without McGrady?Less is more. When they lost their All-Star, it created an addition by subtraction situation. Like the post-Allen Iverson Nuggets, the Rockets became a simpler and more functional team, which has produced better results.Ron Artest and McGrady never clicked. Each needed their share of shots and touches to secure long-term extensions. And, to a certain extent, each likely saw the other as a roadblock to getting that new deal. McGrady’s injury stopped an unhealthy internal competition with ‘Ron-Ron’.For years, Houston wasn’t taken seriously because their top player and franchise face, McGrady, was perceived as soft. The entire organization was guilty by association. Even during last season’s remarkable winning streak, few expected the club to push deep in the playoffs.Now they’re blue-collar. Aaron Brooks and Artest control the backcourt, Shane Batter, Yao Ming, and Luis Scola are imposing up-front, and newly acquired Kyle Lowry leads a stacked bench. These Rockets aren’t soft and could win a playoff series.The McGrady years have been exhausting. His teams have never advanced past the first round and their post-season failures have been especially heartbreaking. The team’s recent success has likely been refreshing for fans.Chemistry beats talent.After all, improved chemistry helped Houston win 20 of 27 games since losing Tracy McGrady to a season-ending injury. And improved chemistry has boosted their chances of going deep in the playoffs.Why is Houston better without McGrady?Less is more. When they lost their All-Star, it created an addition by subtraction situation. Like the post-Allen Iverson Nuggets, the Rockets became a simpler and more functional team, which has produced better results.Ron Artest and McGrady never clicked. Each needed their share of shots and touches to secure long-term extensions. And, to a certain extent, each likely saw the other as a roadblock to getting that new deal. McGrady’s injury stopped an unhealthy internal competition with ‘Ron-Ron’.For years, Houston wasn’t taken seriously because their top player and franchise face, McGrady, was perceived as soft. The entire organization was guilty by association. Even during last season’s remarkable winning streak, few expected the club to push deep in the playoffs.Now they’re blue-collar. Aaron Brooks and Artest control the backcourt, Shane Batter, Yao Ming, and Luis Scola are imposing up-front, and newly acquired Kyle Lowry leads a stacked bench. These Rockets aren’t soft and could win a playoff series.The McGrady years have been exhausting. His teams have never advanced past the first round and their post-season failures have been especially heartbreaking. The team’s recent success has likely been refreshing for fans.。