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!

Do Your Best

http://turnthepagetoanewchapter.wordpress.com/tag/do-your-best-until-you-know-better/

After reading the article Ethical Responsibilities of Group Members and Leaders, it is evident that obtaining success is a result of putting forth your best efforts. Each member of the team must be determined in supporting the rest and presenting their ideas. This means that every team member must give their own opinions, as well as listen to one another and provide feedback. Once everyone offers an idea of their own, a collective brainstorm works best. Without holding back, any goals set by the team will be achieved. Best efforts are always respected and taken into consideration. Doing your best is one of the many ethical responsibilites of being part of a team. It is fair for each team member and "there is no 'I' in team"!                                           

Being On Time

The number one ethic I realised in my classroom today was being on time. Being on time is very important (not only when you are in a team) because it is often a first impression for yourself; it shows how punctual you are and how much you truly care. Nobody likes to be in a meeting and having to wait an extra fifteen minutes for the late comer, right? I know I don't! On the other hand, some cultures are more lenient and forgiving with their time. Cultural expectations matter and different cultures have different opinions. Some think that it is acceptable to be late, while others think it is extremely rude to be late. In fact, Chile believes that it is impolite to be on time. Can you believe that? 

http://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photo-definition-being-time-pockiet-watch-image13606190