A team is defined as a group (of multiple groups) of people who must are interdependent and share common goals. To achieve these goals, they must coordinate their activities appropriately (Northouse, 2013, p. 140). Furthermore, a group is defined as two or more people interacting in a way where they are influenced by each other. A group is much less constrictive and open than a team. Teams are often goal-oriented, while a group can achieve any type of purpose.
During my junior year, I spent a few months working for a local pizza shop. I experienced a lot of examples of groups and teams interacting in different ways. All of the employees in the shop could be split up into their own groups, but we were one collective team. There were always two or three pizza chefs working at any time, and they worked independently of the rest of the workers most of the time. However, their work was pointless if they didn’t have the rest of the team to follow up. The normal process went something like: receive/place order, cook pizzas, deliver pizzas. This sounds pretty simple but it was a system that only worked when each individual cog (group) completed their duty. Since everyone was reliant on the others to accomplish their tasks, we had a collaborative climate where we all trusted one another. We also adhered to standards of excellence, essentially meaning that we all performed at a standard that was expected by the rest of the members in the group.
I was a delivery driver which was my main role in the team, but I had other responsibilities as well. Serving pizza wasn’t the only goal we had, although it was by far out biggest priority. We had the responsibility of maintaining a clean restaurant, promoting our brand by interacting with customers in a positive way, and preparing all of the parts that are involved in making and delivering the pizza. What I mean by that is someone has to fold and stack pizza boxes, move food from the freezer to the kitchen, clean dishes, and to make orders for ingredients. So while out main goal was to serve pizza, we had a lot of small tasks that still had to be done. So regardless of the circumstances the situation, we were all responsible for the success of our team.
We had three managers in the shop, and their were responsible for making sure every member of the team accomplished their tasks, of functions. While the managers worked in the kitchen and primarily answered the phones and took orders, it was their responsibility to also keep the shop stocked on supplies. So although we were all a part of one team, not every role in that team was equal. You could argue over whether the chefs or delivery drivers are more important to the team, but you can’t deny the importance of the manager in our team. Using my machine analogy, they could be called the grease that allows all of the cogs to work smoothly.
My job at the pizza shop wasn’t the most exciting or fun job I’ve had, but it’s easily the most distinct in terms of being structured in a team-oriented way. There was definitely a teamwork atmosphere because everyone’s work was directly dependent on someone else’s work. The chefs had to have all of the ingredients readily available and the drivers had to have pizzas to deliver, for example.
Works Cited
Northouse, P. G. (2013). Leadership – Theory and Practice. Los Angeles: Sage Publications.