By IVY WEISS Contributing Reporter There are many definitions of the word “team.” Los Angeles Valley College Foundation Executive Director Raul Castillo looks at his Board of Directors as a team. His Board was recruited with an appreciation of the work they can do, as well as what advantage there would be having each person on board with the organization. A team of two works for Leslie Kaz and his partner at Syndicated Insurance Agency. One is the “gambler”, the other takes fewer risks. As president of the San Fernando Valley Junior Chamber of Commerce, Kaz spoke about teamwork that propels that organization. It is member-oriented. The general membership is separated into groups they do the work, not the Board of Directors. Larry Krutchik who has a communications company called The Edison Group brought forth the “no silo” theory. All his company’s clients belong to the entire staff. The business works with political coalitions, and that is also a team situation. Krutchik said there is strength in numbers, and that everyone brings something to the table. They strive for a non-competitive approach where each person has a role, “They are ready to drop the ego, and just go forward for the greater good. To build a good team, it is important to look at the members’ commonalities as well as their unique strengths,” he said. There is no competition for the “same space” on the team. Getting diverse members to individually buy into ownership of the project, and still maintain their own viewpoints is essential to Jennifer Fong’s teambuilding. Fong is a public relations specialist at Los Angeles Valley College. Imran Chaudhry of Providence Health and Services uses the team as a consultant, knowing it is imperative to set the scope and goals from the outset. Shared goals lead to shared accountability. Jerri Hemsworth of Newman Grace Inc. builds a team according to her clients’ needs, personalities and comfort level. To Bob Davis of Davis Research, each particular project dictates who and what skills are required. Michael Jordan of ESP Computer Services said that a team leader need not be the person with the most seniority or senior rank in the company and Davis added that it is vital to identify a team leader at the onset of the work. Woodbury University Professor Satinder Dhiman offered this advice: Bringing non-team oriented players to work effectively on a team is helped by allowing that person to gain ownership of the project, and let it have a special meaning to them. Dhiman said that acknowledging the person’s contribution is also helpful. He brought up the term “paralogue,” meaning to have all parties talk with each other and give each a voice in the work. Castillo spoke of egos and the fact that they can delay the work of the group. Also, when a team member goes “rogue” it is essential to open all channels of communication. He also offered that having someone mentor or be mentored brings them back to the fold. Make certain an “outsider” feels comfortable, heard and involved in the process once coming aboard a team, Chaudhry said. Davis spoke of balancing that with not singling out one person as the best. He uses the “Rambo” analogy; “Rambo accomplished a lot on his own, think of what he could do with a team of Rambos.” Rewards should go to the team, not one player. There is also the tactic of asking the non-team player to be of assistance to others, thereby drawing him in to the circle. Although, if it continues to be divisive, take that person off the team Jordan thought that it is important to balance the expertise of an individual with the team’s goals. It is best not to lose a person who is vital to the efforts. A discussion regarding situations where teamwork is not effective brought diverse comments. Dhiman felt that emergencies happen and that could be a detriment to the team process. Castillo, and others, countered with the idea that a good team has a contingency system in place for emergencies. Hemsworth said a manager must weigh the size of the job against the amount of time it will take. There are times when it is more appropriate to have a single person work on a project. Davis added that it is important to let that person know there are others available to assist if something requires more than one person can provide. Answering the question “Is teamwork overrated and overused?” Krutchik said that although the term is overused, the concept of teamwork is underused. He used the example of the little league teams he has coached. Lessons come from teamwork; the good of the team takes precedence over the wants of the individual and that lesson can never be taught too early in life.