1 - Understanding the Dynamics of Working Relationships

Summary

In this first chapter we will consider what we mean by a team and how we can work with others using some theoretical models. We will discover what these models look like in practice and what steps we can take to implement them for effective outcomes.

Defining teams

As school librarians we may belong to a variety of teams, including:

• ■ the school's administrative team

• ■ the school's curriculum development or teaching and learning team

• ■ the school's technology integration team

• ■ a professional association for school librarians

• ■ a local or regional network of school librarians.

All this in addition to the teams we form with students, staff and members of the wider school community.

So, what is a team? A team can be defined as:

(a) two or more individuals who (b) socially interact (face-to-face or, increasingly, virtually); (c) possess one or more common goals; (d) are brought together to perform organizationally relevant tasks; (e) exhibit interdependencies with respect to workflow, goals, and outcomes; (f) have different roles and responsibilities; and (g) are together embedded in an encompassing organizational system, with boundaries and linkages to the broader system context and task environment.

Kozlowski and Ilgen, 2006

Even if we are a solo librarian in our school, it is important for us to be part of a team for several reasons. Being part of a team allows us to collaborate with other educators and professionals to improve student learning and support the overall mission of the school. Team working can provide opportunities for professional development, such as learning new skills and best practices from colleagues. When we work alone, it can be very daunting and team membership can provide emotional and practical support, which can be especially valuable in a challenging work environment. Working with others helps us to make better decisions as it allows us to share and discuss different perspectives, ideas and experiences which aid making a more informed decision. Budgets are often tight in schools, but as part of a team, we can maybe leverage the resources of the subject departments and the library to provide a more comprehensive and effective service to students and teachers.