Are you a puzzle person? Do you make puzzles on your own or do you have a puzzle partner you share the task with?
Putting a puzzle together with someone can be fun, but also challenging. Much like teamwork on a project.
Teamwork = Two people (or more) working together with the same objective.
In the case of a puzzle, the end goal is to strategically place 500, more or less, puzzle pieces together to form a beautifully assembled picture. That’s no easy task!
Not long ago, I completed a puzzle with my mother. We each had our own ideas on how to approach the task. I wanted to look for the straight outside edges to frame the image. She, on the other hand, wanted to sort puzzle pieces into colours or sections that appeared to belong together.
What we had were two different approaches, likely based on past experience and success rates. Or, maybe I have a personality trait that calls for structure and order, while hers leaned more towards creativity and fun? Different ideas. Neither wrong.
As a team, we soon realized our approaches complemented each other’s. She would pass me straight-edged pieces as she found them; I would toss a piece or two her way when they matched her piles of assorted colours. When I look back, by working together we were able to complete the puzzle a lot faster. My framework for the outside edges helped to position the patterns she was collecting. Her sorting made the assembly of the inside much quicker… perfect teamwork!
Effective teamwork means . . .
Effective teams leverage the strength of each member. They draw on individual experiences and different skill levels to get the job done. Here are a few ways you can build an effective team.
1. Agree on the end goal — Before you start, make sure everyone on your team knows what they’re working towards. What do you want to achieve? Knowing what’s in or out of scope for your project will help to keep progress on track and within timelines.
2. Assign a leader — It’s always a good idea to assign a leader for the work. This person can help keep the project moving along by signing off on tasks, answering questions and responding to any concerns or discrepancies.
2. Divide the tasks — Take time to recognize the strengths you have on your team and divide the tasks accordingly. For example, if you have someone who thrives in detail (that wouldn’t be me), they’re likely better for a more detailed aspect of the project. You may want someone with a flair for writing to review or edit any copy so it flows from start to finish.
3. Work together and communicate well — Although each team member might work independently throughout the project, a regular check in to see that everyone remains focused on the same end task is a good idea. Regular meetings provide an opportunity to pass along new information and offer support to anyone falling behind. It also means you can reassign work if someone has taken on more than they can chew!
3. Value each other’s input — Everyone is different. Your team members will have input and ideas worth listening to. Be open to what they have to say. Don’t quench enthusiasm and support by not listening. Being willing to pivot if it means a stronger outcome for the project.
4. Celebrate success — Look for opportunities to recognize small successes or milestone moments through the project. Then, when the project is done, when the puzzle is complete, take time to celebrate. After all, as an effective team, you did it together!
Time to review and reflect
I always recommend reviewing a project after it’s complete. What worked well, what didn’t work so well, what would you do differently next time? This will set you up for your next successful project.
Puzzle success to me means no missing pieces at the end! As winter starts closing in, I plan to dust off a puzzle or two to complete.
Are you a puzzle person?
Writing for you. 