Fiscal and Personnel Module 5 Discussion 9

 

Module 5 Discussion

Discussion: Team Building

As the authors of your course text emphasize, motivating employees should be a goal of all center directors because motivated employees are more likely to maintain a standard of excellence in the workplace. How can directors inspire employees to perform their best? Creating a team-oriented environment is one effective tool for motivating staff members. In this Discussion, you will examine the relationship between team building and motivation and consider specific strategies for fostering a collaborative spirit among staff members. To begin, reflect on the following:

• Why do you think a sense of team camaraderie can often increase employee motivation?
• How would you describe the role of teamwork and the importance of team building in a child development center? How would you communicate this to your staff?
• What are some specific team-building activities that you, as a director of a child development center, might implement in order to foster a sense of collective purpose and cooperation among your staff members?

With these thoughts in mind, follow the instructions below to post your response to this Discussion topic.

By Day 3 of Week 9:
Post a synthesis of your thoughts on how team camaraderie and employee motivation are related as well as the importance of teamwork in a child development center. Include how you might communicate your thoughts on this to your staff. Then, describe at least two specific team-building activities that you might implement in order to foster a sense of collective purpose and cooperation among your staff members.

By Day 7 of Week 10:
Read a selection of your colleagues’ postings. As you read their responses, note those to which you would like to respond with advice, questions, comments, and/or encouragement.

Respond to two or more of your colleagues’ postings in any of the following ways:

• Build on something your colleague said.
• Explain why and how you see things differently.
• Ask a probing or clarifying question.
• Share an insight from having read your colleague's posting.
• Offer and support an opinion.
• Validate an idea with your own experience.
• Expand on your colleague's posting.
• Ask for evidence that supports the posting.

Return to this Discussion in a few days to read the responses to your initial posting. Reflect on what you learned in this activity and/or insights you gained this week.