Class Journal Week 9

Lauren Magee

What kinds of characteristics do you want in your teammates?
- I would like my teammates to be committed to the project and put in just as much effort into the final product as I do. I would like them to work creatively as well, because I value innovation more than anything in projects. I would like them to be open to everyone in the groups ideas and be willing to meet for extended periods of time, even on weekends, until the presentation date.
What kinds of things make teams go smoothly?
- I think for a team to work cohesively, compromises need to be made and everyone needs to communicate well with one another. Every member should have a voice in the project and everyone else should be respectful of that voice.
What kinds of things make teams not go so smoothly?
- When group members are less invested in the project and rely on others to pick up their slack, it fosters a lot of resentment in the group as a whole and it is almost impossible to regain group functionality.

An ideal teammate would be someone who puts his or her best efforts into his or her work. The teammate does not necessarily have possess an expertise with their work, but should be willing to ask for help when necessary. A good teammate would also be open to feedback and would be willing to work with his or her group members with a professional attitude.
Team coordination and communication are essential if a team is to function smoothly. Each teammate should be familiar with his or her assigned task and should be constantly relaying communication back and forth with each other. This not only facilitates updates, but it only improves team cohesion and effectiveness.
A lack of communication can be crippling if problems arise. A team is only as effective as its weakest member. Therefore, it is essential that any problems be made apparent and sorted out early. Problems and mishaps that happen late in the work cycle can prove extremely detrimental to all the efforts of the group.

Slouie (talk) 04:39, 23 October 2013 (PDT)

-I like teammates to be good at communicating, flexible, and committed to turning out a good final project.

-I think that good communication is key, along with every team member sharing work equally, and helping each other to learn.

-Teams do not go smoothly when teammates do not communicate with each other or when some members take on more or less work than others.