MYTHS, REALITIES

AND
IMPORTANCE
OF
TEAMWORK

By
South Park
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South Parks

Myths Realities & Importance of Teamwork

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Myths, Realities and Importance of Teamwork
First Edition 2017
Novice Writers- South Park

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Myths, Realities & Importance of Teamwork

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Contents Page

What is this book all about? 5

Who are we? 6

Acknowledgement 7

Our Rendezvous with Teamwork 8

Teamwork makes the Dreamwork 10

Myths and Realities of Teamwork 12

Importance of Teamwork 16

Tips for Great Teamwork 18

Intelligentsias Quotes on Teamwork 20

Appealing illustrations on teamwork 22

References 23

Link to E-Book 24

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Myths, Realities & Importance of Teamwork

What is this book all about?

This book is an attempt by prospective group of project managers called South Park.

We are the students of Advance Project Management and Strategic Leadership from the

Lambton college, Toronto, Canada as part of our assignment we make a humble effort

to publish an E-book on the topic Myths, Realities and Importance of Teamwork.

This book is an output of our course material, lectures, series of projects, assignments,

presentations and role plays completed as a team. The team activities were a great

source of inspiration for choosing this title for the book. The book initially introduces

the teamwork as encountered by South Park.

It continues its journey with regard to teamwork and throws light on the myths and

realities of team work by comparing and contrasting both for a crystal-clear

understanding.

What comes next in the book is the importance of teamwork. Handy tips to build

excellent teamwork is shared in the book. Quotes and illustration from the net graces

this book.

This E-book is a result of Agile Methodology.

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Myths, Realities & Importance of Teamwork
Not to miss the references at the end to understand the content better.

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Myths, Realities & Importance of Teamwork

We are a group of six project

management students.

Rabia Shaheer
Mandeep Kaur
Munzir Ahmed
Parampal Singh
Lakshdeep Dadwal
Alex Batanik

Who are we?

We share a very enriching experience together, coming from diverse cultures and traditions

we are all now a happy family. Each one of us come from a different educational

background but its quite a long time that we now share a common platform. The journey for

some of us started together right from Septemeber 2016. So, we are group of likeminded

people who believe in teamwork and trust building.

As a team we faced many challenges and have mastered many skills of leaders as well as of

followers. This E -Book is an insight into our learning journey as a team and connecting to

the broader world outside.We are not perfectionist but are ardent followers of quality work.

A very first attempt to be called as writers not restricted to the world of printed material but

would like to touch the hearts and minds of online readers.

So stay tune with out a blink ! A must read book for you all.

Excited to be a team

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Myths, Realities & Importance of Teamwork
South Park

Acknowledgement

We dedicate this book to all our classmates, friends and family, to Sandee Vincent out

instructor at Lambton college.

A special thanks to Mr.David Wong and Mr.Ravider Singh instructors from our previous

courses, without they guidance and assistance we wouldnt have undesrtood the true

meaning of teamwork.

This book draws its inspiration from David Wrights book The Myths and Realities of

Teamwork. South Park holds a great respect for Wrights work and claims that this is

our original work. Wrights book stands as an example and a source of reference for our

work. A special thanks to Mr. David Wright for such an outstanding book.

Once again a heartful thanks to Sandee Maam for her motivation. Thank you! We all had

a real time experience writing and the book and at the same enjoyed our work. While

completing the E-Book it was our head, heart and hands worked together.

We wish and hope that our book will be read all and liked by many.

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Myths, Realities & Importance of Teamwork

Our Rendezvous with Teamwork

Our childhood is a witnessed to many games and activities which are great examples of

teamwork. We read our comics and adventure books, which unconsciously taught us that to

be successful in life is to work within a team. School and college days stand apart for better

understanding of teamwork. Planning for carnivals, cultural fest, sports events, Science

fair, literary activities and many more to mention, we made deliberate efforts to delegate

work and coordinate. Yes! this is nothing but examples of teamwork.

All of us come from diverse backgrounds but teamwork is somethinng which binds us

together. The basic skills of working in the team is acquired from our early stages of life.

But, its only through formal course of study that reveals the professional aspects of working

in a team.

We are happy individuals who like to determine our own terms and conditions and hates to

be answerable or to report to a boss. It looks great, its fun , interesting and exciting to be our

own. But a one man army has a very limited potential to grow. We should develop this

understnading that only way to walk on the road of success is to build and work in a team.

Some of us at South Park met in September 2016 and failed in our individual assignments

though we were talented, smart, goal driven and passionate. However, our true abilties

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Myths, Realities & Importance of Teamwork
gleamed when we were put together to work in a team. We rose to success in all our later

assignments only because we could build up a strong team and inspired each other.

Everyone in the team had the opportunity to be a leader at some point of the course and we

were successful to inspire our team members to work well together toward a common

vision and goals.

Lets define teamwork:

Great works are accomplished on schedule and within cost only by putting many heads,

hands and hearts together instead of putting one head, one hand and one heart.So, adding up

every members effort for achieving teams goal is called as teawork in a nutshell. Its team

work which is the backbone of any team. Collective work counts more than individual

performnace in a team.

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Myths, Realities & Importance of Teamwork

Teamwork makes the Dreamwork

Teamwork is the ability to work together towards 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

Teamwork creates a stage for co-operation, leading to real success. We in a team has the

capacity to channelise the efforts, talents and resources of each other to reach the

pinnacle of success.

Theres a saying Team Work Makes a Dream Work which is essentially true because

History is a witnessed to many succesful ventures and stories merely because of

teamwork. Great revolutions, battles, organizations and people could excel in all their

endeavours only because of teamwrok. Leaders like Gandhiji could free India from the

clutches of imperialist rulers through cooperation of millions of Indians.Napoleons army

made it possible for him to expand his territories beyond his boundaries. It was only

because of combined work of Roosevelt, Americans, political parties and media that

America could arose from great depression.

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Myths, Realities & Importance of Teamwork
A pair of two also makes a team, Bill Gates and Paul Allen founded Microsoft, Steve

Jobs and Steve Wozniak led to the founding of Apple, 5 talented musicians led to the

formation of The Beatles and the story goes on and on.

Prodigious coaches hold the extraordinary quality to hold their team together and work, a

quality when mastered brings success to door step. A true leader helps his team to grow

and be better. Leaders need to be selfless and must hold a magnetic personality to inspire

team for betterment. Rulers like Hitler and Mussolini used their leadership that ultimately

caused their own destruction, including the destruction of their nation and people.

Organizations like League of Nations, UNO, World bank , Greenpeace, Red cross are the

result of cooperation among nations as we believe that there is marvelous power in unity.

Even in ordinary life a combo of husband and wife makes a team and if properly

coordinated its a happy family.Similarly, in politics better team work will produce a

better government regardless of which party is in. Thus, teamwork is an indispensable

prerequisite for people who are looking to do or become something.

We human beings can accomplish great things when we work together. So make the

most of teamwork by creating teams that are diverse, connected and motivated. This will

give us the edge to solve new problems and embark new projects.

But, lets understand some the myths and realities of teamwork before we form into great

teams.
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Myths, Realities & Importance of Teamwork

Myths and Realities of Teamwork

Myth 1: Whole team is responsible for teamwork; individual performance doesnt count.

Reality: Each individual makes a huge difference towards team contribution; their
individual ability counts a lot and contributes towards team performance.

Myth 2: Leaders and managers can only make great teams.

Reality: Leaders inspire teams but it is always the responsibility of the entire team, who
sees to it that proper information is shared among them to build effective teams.

Myth 3: Peaceful working of team leads to success

Reality: Sometimes conflicts helps to bring the best out, harmony becomes detrimental
for the progress of the team

Myth 4: Team spirit and motivation comes after skills.

Reality: Teamwork has its meaning only when people are inspired and motivated
because they believe in sharing desires not talents. Motivation fuels skills.

Myth 5: A liking for each other is key ingredient for successful teamwork.

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Reality: Teams working on profession front rather than building friendship are
successful in real as they fruitfully utilize their time.
Myths, Realities & Importance of Teamwork

Myths and Realities of Teamwork

Myth 6: Team interest is above individual interest.

Reality: It is first the individual interest of the member which will allow him to work
toward team goal. So, individual interest cannot be ignored.

Myth 7: Team building takes away the precious time.

Reality: People come together or brought together to share responsibility in the course of
time teams are build and teamwork is witnessed.

Myth 8: A perfect start for team activities always have a perfect end.

Reality: Start can be good but sometimes end can be wrong if team members dont solve
the problems as when they arise.

Myth 9: Everyone likes working in a team.

Reality: Research had proven that in diverse teams some do like working alone and then
contribute their work to the team.

Myth 10: Teams can be easily formed, managed and influenced.

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Reality: Team building is a special skill, its a marvellous task to bring people together
and make them work. So, team leaders have huge role to play.
Myths, Realities & Importance of Teamwork

Myths and Realities of Teamwork

Myth 11: Only team in huge size are successful.

Reality: Teams of larger size suffers from proper collaboration & communication. Size
doesnt make much difference, its the connection among people which is important .

Myth 12: New additions or energies to the team adds to the better performance.

Reality: Research proved that team members who are working together from a long time
understand each other and team dynamics better and gives better performance.

Myth 13: Technological developments adds in building team relationship.

Reality: Meeting in personal leads to human touch in turn allowing the teams to
perform. Technology has reduced work load but distanced people.

Myth 14: Teams are the best.

Reality: Delegating and assigning responsibility to individual is much easier than to a

team, team politics spoils the image of the team.

Myth 15: There is no need to pay attention to the Career Progression of members.

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Reality: Focus on the career development of team members is vital as it keeps the
members motivated as well as sets right example for others to perform.
Myths, Realities & Importance of Teamwork

Myths and Realities of Teamwork

Myth 16: Laissez-Faire Style works best for teams.

Reality: Leaving the individual free doesnt account for team work. They should always
be proper monitoring for better performance.

Myth 17: Creativity is obstructed during team work.

Reality: Teams bring in diverse people together leading to diversity in thoughts and
opinions and encouraging innovative ideas.

Myth 18: Leaders always welcome new ideas and encourages teamwork.

Reality: Leaders always fear that teamwork brings people so close that they can go
against his power and authority.

Myth 19: Teamwork alone leads to success.

Reality: Stories of great people reveals that without the backup of the team they could
bring their ventures to success.

Myth 20: People share equal responsibility in teamwork.

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Reality: Some are held more accountable then others and are always overburdened. This
demoralise the team and leaves negative vibes.
Myths, Realities & Importance of Teamwork

Importance of Teamwork

A family which prays together stays together, So is the case with a team, A team which

works together stays together.

Teamwork contibute to the success of individual and the team but is avoided by many of us.

Why do we avoid teamwork? The person with innumerable skills and abilites cannot

triupmh if he is unable to work and survive in a team. People who are incompetent to work

as a team are just ineffective.

Great people hold the capacity to perform simultaneously as an individual and on par

with team and that is the key to attain growth and success. Entrepreneurs, business gurus

brought a sea of change in pattern of living with their innovative and creative mind.

However, without hardworking team and their abilities they wouldnt have brought their

ideas to live or success.

We will present here a variety of benefits of working in teams for our personal growth and

for the growth of the team. Teamwork opens door for not only for professional

development but also makes work easier. Pay little attention below to learn why teamwork

is vital and what rewards it can gives us .

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Myths, Realities & Importance of Teamwork
1. Teamwork ambiance encourages and nurtures friendship and trust. They closely get

knitted as family,this motivates members to work harder, collaborate and be

supportive of one another.

2. Teamwork is a platform where diverse people, thoughts and ideas meet. Its a

foundation stone for creativity, brainstorming, opportunities, and problem-solving

methods, which in turn upsurges their success and work more efficiently and

effectively.

3. Mistakes and failure become stepping stones. Team members learn from each others

mistakes. So, mistakes in near future can be avoided and can achieve a very different

perspectives, learn new concepts from more experienced members.

4. Teamwork increases efficency. Many brains working together brings huge difference

in terms of faster work and shared responsibilities.

5. Team dicussions and debates paves a way for new ideas and innovations.

6. Teamwork activities always involves various methods of communication to discuss

ideas or collaborating information to contribute to success of the project. Proper

communication channels are devloped.

7. Teamwork allows to share work equally to achieve common goal.So, the workload is

shared. The best way is to allot work according to the capacities of each member and

the best comes out.

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Myths, Realities & Importance of Teamwork

Tips for Great Teamwork

Credit: Teamwork image via
Shutterstock

Don't let myths about teamwork hold your progress. Debunk them and get your team on the

right track by following some basic tips for great teamwork.

1. Always be prompt to define your milestones, concrete plans and clear goals to your

team .This helps in sharing varied opinions.

2. Allow open discussions and brainstorming so as to develop an innovative

environment.

3. Proper commuinaction and involving everyone helps to focus and progress.

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Myths, Realities & Importance of Teamwork
4. Break the regular momentum by best utilising various commuination channels
leading to succesful collaboration.

5. Create a strong sense of belonging among the team members to the group because it

enhanced their performance.

6. Value each team member keeping their abilities and skills in mind, this helps to

extract the quality work.

7. Respect the diversity of your group because a diverse group when united can create

wonders.

8. Celeberate success with your team member and dont hesitate to appreciate and

applaud them for their work.

9. Division of work is most important, define each ones responsibility clearly so as to

avoid overlapping of responsibility.

10. Keep your team fullly informed, no secrets and involve them in decision making

process.

11. Loyalty and honesty should be a two way concept. Earn the trust of your team

through transparency.

12. Empowering your team and showing appreciation whenever required adds to the

success of teamwork.

13. Both positive and negative feedback to your team acts as catalyst for team

performance.

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Myths, Realities & Importance of Teamwork

Intelligentsias Quotes on Teamwork

Credit
Getty Images

Here are some quotes from well-known coaches, athletes, business leaders, and authors

that will help you and your team members to work well together:

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Myths, Realities & Importance of Teamwork
"Individual commitment to a group effort--that is what makes a team work, a company

work, a society work, a civilization work." --Vince Lombardi

"Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships." --Michael

Jordan

"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

"Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much." --Helen Keller

"Remember, teamwork begins by building trust. And the only way to do that is to

overcome our need for invulnerability." --Patrick Lencioni

"I invite everyone to choose forgiveness rather than division, teamwork over personal

ambition." --Jean-Francois Cope

"None of us is as smart as all of us." --Ken Blanchard

"Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is

success." --Henry Ford

"If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself." --Henry Ford

"The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the

team." --Phil Jackson

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Myths, Realities & Importance of Teamwork
"Collaboration allows teachers to capture each other's fund of collective intelligence." --

Mike Schmoker

"It takes two flints to make a fire." --Louisa May Alcott

"Unity is strength. . . when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be

achieved." --Mattie Stepanek

"To me, teamwork is the beauty of our sport, where you have five acting as one. You

become selfless." --Mike Krzyzewski

Appealing illustrations on teamwork

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Myths, Realities & Importance of Teamwork

References

http://bookboon.com/en/the-myths-and-realities-of-teamwork-ebook

https://www.google.co.in/search?q=pictures+of+great+teamwork&source

https://www.inc.com/dave-kerpen/15-quotes-to-inspire-great-team-work.html

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/rajan-thapaliya/how-teamwork-makes-the-dream-

work_b_9794438.html

https://www.inc.com/dave-kerpen/15-quotes-to-inspire-great-team-work.html
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Myths, Realities & Importance of Teamwork
Cover page: Courtesy Prerana Waldorf school

Link to our E-book

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