Teamwork depends on the characteristics of the team, the team leader, and the team members. Not every person will be the right fit for your team.
Exercise 45
Based on your own experiences and using a Venn diagram like the one shown, compare and contrast the attributes of an effective team, team leader, and team member.
Remember – similarities are placed in the overlapping areas and differences in the remainder of the circle.
Exercise 46
In order for your team to be the best you need to develop teamwork. With reference to your Venn diagram, identify the barriers to teamwork in your workplace and suggest some ways to overcome them.
Checkpoint
Assessment 3.1, Task 2
A high performing team is made up of individuals who are diverse in their capabilities but aligned in their motivation to achieve the same goals. A good balance of personality types allows the group to work together harmoniously but also challenge each other when necessary.
DiSC Profiles
The DiSC Assessment Tool profiles personalities into four categories:
- Dominance
- Influence
- Steadiness
- Conscientiousness
- Direct
- Decisive
- Determined
Needs
- Respect
- Choices
- Control
- Influencing
- Interactive
- Involved
Needs
- Affirmation
- Popularity
- Recognition
- Stable
- Steady
- Sweet
Needs
- Security
- Approval
- Appreciation
- Calculating
- Competent
- Contemplative
Needs
- Values
- Confirmation
- Excellence
Complete this online test to determine your DISC type and personality profile. Is this what you expected?
Exercise 45
Discuss the various ways DISC profiles can be utilised in the workplace. What personality category is prevalent in your class?
All teams go through stages of development. The most commonly used framework of development was developed in the mid-1960s by Bruce W. Tuckman. This model identifies four stages to building a successful team:
Exercise 48
Research these four stages of team development and write a brief description of each.
What are the benefits of identifying and understanding the causes for changes in team behaviour?
Exercise 49
As a manager it is important to understand which stage of development your team currently is operating at and provide assistance in successfully navigating the stage.
For each of the four stages:
- Describe what needs to happen here.
- Suggest some fun activities to assist with this.
Share your ideas on the team page.
Good leadership is the key to team performance, with team leaders playing a vital role in ensuring team members work well together and achieve their goals.
What are the attributes of a good leader? Research some of the opinions online then write your own top ten qualities.
Watch these chefs discuss how they prefer to run a kitchen.
Dysfunctional Teams
Kitchens are intense and stressful places to work, requiring great communication and co-ordination between different sections to get great food out to customers in an efficient and timely way. Teamwork plays a huge part in making this happen smoothly. Lencioni (2002) proposed teams were susceptible to five dysfunctions:
- Inattention to results.
- Avoidance of accountability.
- Lack of commitment.
- Fear of conflict.
- Absence of trust.
Click on the link to learn more about dysfunctional teams and what can be done about the issue.
Exercise 50
Beside the bullet points on the pyramid write down what you might observe when this dysfunction is present in your team.
As a manager suggest possible solutions and strategies you might try to remedy each dysfunction.
Discuss as a class once everyone has completed their individual pyramids.
Standard operating procedures (SOPs) are a set of guidelines describing how you and your team should carry out your daily tasks and activities. Well-structured SOPs ensure consistency in all employee actions across the business - both front-of-house and back-of-house workers know exactly how to satisfy work requirements safely, efficiently, and professionally thus, guaranteeing the quality and integrity of the end-product or service.
The Beginner’s Guide to Restaurant Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), 2021
Exercise 51
Why do businesses need SOPs? Discuss the benefits of having SOPs on hand in the workplace.
Types Of SOPs
SOPs are commonly used in cookery to describe one of the following:
- Food Preparation, Handling and Storage.
- Communication & Customer Service Standards.
- Facility & Equipment Handling – How To Use Microwave, Oven, etc.
- Staff and Personal Hygiene Regulations.
- Safety.
Find some examples of SOPs used in cookery. (Either from your own place of work or online.)
- What do you notice about the format used? (Lists, flowcharts, photos etc.)
- What sub-headings are commonly included?
- Are the SOPs you found ‘user-friendly’?
Exercise 52
Write an SOP detailing how the food contact work surface in the kitchen should be cleaned and sanitised. Ensure you follow a standard SOP format, specifying:
- Who will perform the task.
- What materials will be used.
- Where the task will be done.
- When the task will be performed.
- How the person will do the task.
Post on the class discussion board. What do you notice when reading others’ SOPs?
Checkpoint
Assessment 3.1, Task 2
