Teams in the Workplace: Do They Work?

I learned at the young age of 14 what "teaming" actually meant. I had an after school job at the local cleaners where they contracted work from hotels, motels, and inns. The owners were two very old, mean men and they did not allow talking to other workers or even chewing gum. As a team, we had to make light of their outlandish rules and make sure our jobs were completed satisfactorily. It was difficult to not be able to communicate with the person standing next to me but I did not complain.

I learned a lot about teaming from the above experience but little did I know that I would learn a lot more as the years past. I cannot think of a position I have held that did not include working within a team or at least with another employee. Each experience allowed me to grow and become a great team member.

While I was employed at GE it was very important to maintain a strong communication between departments. Without that, and understanding from older, more experienced employees, I would have not been able to succeed in my job. There were weekly meetings to discuss quality errors and our ideas for solutions were always welcome. Whenever I had a question concerning my duties there would always be someone there to lead me in the right direction. I realized then how important being on a team was.

After some time I began teaching the casting classes and made sure that I showed my students the same patience and understanding that I was so lucky to receive when I was new to the company. New employees, no matter how educated they are, still need respect while learning a skill which is alien to them. Without my ability to listen to their questions they would have felt as if they were alone in a large world without someone to look to for help. I could never put a person in that position.

GE had a lay-off so I had to search for something new. The restaurant at K-Mart was looking for a waitress so I applied and was offered the position. This was the best teaming experience of all. Servers, cooks, dishwashers, and cashiers must work together to assure their customers are properly taken care of and to maintain a quality establishment. I wouldn't walk by a table that needed cleaning without picking up some dishes. I wouldn't let food sit in the window but instead would take it to the customer. I wasn't afraid to wash the dishes or sweep the floors, and I always tried to help the cook. I never complained, always smiled, and did whatever possible to make new team members feel comfortable as soon as they walked in the door.

When working in the restaurant business it is extremely important to work as a team. Customer satisfaction means repeat customers and fast service means a quick table turn-over. All of this means better tips and therefore a better income.

My worst experience in a team setting was when I worked for the Guardian Ad Litem program. Although we were told we were a team the necessary attitudes from each member were missing. I felt as though everyone thought themselves to be better than me. When they were asked to do something that was not in their "job description" they threw a fit. And, they were so lazy that it drove me in sane. Being the person that I am I would volunteer to do anything; I knew that things needed to be done and if they did not get done the office, as well as the program, would look bad. I began feeling alienated. I did not know who to speak with concerning problems and the other women just didn't care about how I was made to feel.

It all came to a boiling point when my husband, after his third surgery, needed to remain home to care for him. I was never allowed to take my 90 days of FMLA but I did use up my vacation and sick time. These women were beside themselves. They were made to answer phones and stay in the office until 5:00 and they hated me for it. On the days I could go to the office I was whispered about and not spoken too. I felt like I was a criminal or had some bad disease. This ordeal showed me that there was no team in this office and has made me decide to never work in an office setting of all women again.

I was taught to always help a person in need, to go beyond my expectations, to respect the opinions of others, and to remain loyal to those around me. These qualities are needed for a team to be successful. I have them and I will never let anyone take them away from me.