Meeting Deadlines

http://www.thecriticalcondition.com/2008/07/29/crank-that-hit-meeting-a-deadline/

An ethical responsibility that the whole group must do is meet deadlines. Deadlines are important to meet because it shows that the team is responsible, organized, and reliable. If each person in the team has specific tasks assigned, each member has their own reliability and must submit these tasks on time. Although tasks are assigned, the team is treated as one. If one person does not meet their deadline, the whole team must suffer. By meeting deadlines the team can be effective and efficient while achieving all goals that they wish.

Being Professional

Being professional can have various meanings. According to the article, What it Means to Be Professional from totalprofessions.com, being professional means that you are reliable, trustworthy, committed, and dedicated to your professional development. Firstly, being reliable is extremely important when being part of a team because the whole team may be expecting you to finish a task by a certain deadline and because your work represents the entire team. Secondly, being trustworthy helps to have a strong team. This is because each team member does not have to worry about what their team mates are doing if they are trusted. Members are able to be left alone with the work of other members and if everyone is trustworthy the team will feel more comfortable. Lastly, committment is what brings the team together. When each member is committed, their goals can more easily be achieved and there will be no problems when having group meetings. Being committed is crucial for a team because a team does not reach its full potential when one member is slacking or not meeting the guidelines and goals of the team.

http://perryawilsonconsulting.com/invoking-the-professional-in-pmp/

Being A Leader

Being a team leader comes natural for some but difficult for others. Nevertheless, most people will experience being a team leader at some point in their lives. Naturally one person in a group tends to become the leader, who then sets guidelines and goals for the team to achieve. These goals are achieved by each team member acquiring the leaders' abilities and skills throughout the course and by acknowledging the efforts and work that has been brought forward. The leader of the team also has responsibilities such as setting up dates and times for meeting, guidelines, and roles for each member. Additionally, the leader is the member who must keep reminding the team of their missions and goals. This helps to keep the team on track and organized so that their goals can be achieved quicker and more efficiently.
Recently I found a link of Blake Griffin explaining how he is a leader of his sports team:

Personally, I thought this video was a good example of a team leader because he explains that leading by example is important. Leading by example is a positive and helpful way to lead a team, and team members may learn more easily by watching someone rather than being told. What do you think?

Take The Role

When being part of a team it is ethical to take responsibility in knowing what your role is. Whether it be the leader, or the researcher, it is critical to participate and determine what is happening and what you have learned. This is done by paying attention. It is obvious that each team member must do so to analyze what the teams goals are and what each member wants out of their experience with your team. In all cases, each team member should know the opinions of their team members and be an expertise in the project that they are attempting. Using what you have learned to contribute to future decisions can help you have the role you desire and will help your team to go above and beyond with the goals that you wants to achieve.
According to the article, Belbin's Team Roles, assigning a role to each member will help to balance the team. Each member can advance in their strengths and will learn how to cope and address their weaknesses. I found this article intrigueing because it teaches 9 roles that can be used when creating a team and splits them into 3 categories. The roles are as follows:

• Action-Oriented
• Shaper
• Implementor
• Completer Finisher
• People-Oriented
• Coordinator
• Team Worker
• Resource Investigator
• Thought-Oriented
• Plant
• Monitor-Evaluator
• Specialist

This article can be found at: http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newLDR_83.htm
Take a look and next time you are part of a team, try it out. I would love to hear your experiences with these roles and whether they are beneficial or not.

Stay Ethical.

Give And Recieve A Fair Hearing

What is the point in having an idea that doesn't get listened to or taken seriously? There is no point. It is an ethical responsibility to expect team members to listen carefully to your ideas and to do the same with their ideas. In many situations teams hold meetings, which is where this ethical responsibility would be explored most because prominent ideas and thoughts are expressed. It is crucial during these meetings for ideas to be taken seriously. Each team member should not feel contrite or frightened to share their ideas or to give feedback and support. Also, aiming and attempting to understand each idea clearly will improve the goals your team is trying to achieve. Understanding the ideas that are being put forward will allow the team to choose the most appropriate idea and to be aware of all the possible strategies and abilities.

http://www.mikearauz.com/2009/01/listen-before-you-speak.html

Fair Play

People in society constantly want everything to be fair. Being fair is an ethical responsibility that is learned the first time you play with your toys with your siblings or young friends. Beginning with learning how to share, and then with learning to not be competitive. Similiarly, learning to be fair and not be competitive is also explored when being part of a team. Being part of a team consists of sharing ideas and opinions rather than toys, which allows the group to be fair and cooperative.

Good In Mind

Establishing and acting with the group's good in mind is an ethical responsibility that each group member should abide to. Many people dislike being part of a team due to many different reasons. One reason may be that they do not get to make every decision. When being part of a team, it is important to keep an open mind and to except and explore every members' opinion. Not being able to express your thoughts will lead the team to bad news and will cause the member to feel unwanted or unworthy. If a member feels this way, the team will have a negative vibe which will then be forced and shown around their surroundings. Another critical responsibility is for each team member to listen closely. By listening, false accusations or arguments can be avoided. I believe that a team is like a unity, a group of people who come together to form one as a whole. Coming to terms and being thoughtful towards each other can make or break your team.

Stay Ethical!