Discussion Thread

Working in teams is common both in engineering school and in practice. The principles of good teamwork are known; however, are they known to those of us who need them?

We found the Myers-Briggs Type Indicators to be a useful tool in understanding our teammates and getting their best contributions to the team's goals, though they shouldn't be taken as rigid rules. What's your experience?

Books on teamwork that we like are:

• ·         Different Drum by M. Scott Peck
• ·         Culture Code by Daniel Coyle
• ·         Type Talk at Work (Revised): How the 16 Personality Types Determine Your Success on the Job by Otto Kroeger, Janet M. Thuesen, Hile Rutledge

What's your favorite book or piece of advice on teams and teaming skills?

(Thanks to Darya Stanskova and Christopher Seigel for their contributions to this post.)

Bill Mc

Hi Bill,

Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experience on teamwork! I completely agree that understanding colleagues is crucial for effective collaboration, and tools like MBTI can be useful if they are not taken too literally.

From my experience, one of the most valuable approaches is active listening and clear communication - taking the time to understand each team member's strengths, perspectives, and motivations often brings more benefit than any formal tool. Creating an environment where everyone feels comfortable contributing ideas also promotes better engagement and higher-quality outcomes.

I also believe that regularly reflecting on team experiences and providing constructive feedback is a practical way to improve teamwork skills.

I'm curious - have you noticed whether certain MBTI types behave differently in engineering teams, or does context and the type of task matter more?

Thanks again for the inspiring discussion!

Best regards,
Darya

Working in teams is common both in engineering school and in practice. The principles of good teamwork are known; however, are they known to those of us who need them?

We found the Myers-Briggs Type Indicators to be a useful tool in understanding our teammates and getting their best contributions to the team's goals, though they shouldn't be taken as rigid rules. What's your experience?

Books on teamwork that we like are:

• ·         Different Drum by M. Scott Peck
• ·         Culture Code by Daniel Coyle
• ·         Type Talk at Work (Revised): How the 16 Personality Types Determine Your Success on the Job by Otto Kroeger, Janet M. Thuesen, Hile Rutledge

What's your favorite book or piece of advice on teams and teaming skills?

(Thanks to Darya Stanskova and Christopher Seigel for their contributions to this post.)

Bill Mc

Working in teams is common both in engineering school and in practice. The principles of good teamwork are known; however, are they known to those of us who need them?

We found the Myers-Briggs Type Indicators to be a useful tool in understanding our teammates and getting their best contributions to the team's goals, though they shouldn't be taken as rigid rules. What's your experience?

Books on teamwork that we like are:

• ·         Different Drum by M. Scott Peck
• ·         Culture Code by Daniel Coyle
• ·         Type Talk at Work (Revised): How the 16 Personality Types Determine Your Success on the Job by Otto Kroeger, Janet M. Thuesen, Hile Rutledge

What's your favorite book or piece of advice on teams and teaming skills?

(Thanks to Darya Stanskova and Christopher Seigel for their contributions to this post.)

Bill Mc

Years ago, many in our company attended a leadership training which included a detailed personality test as well.  It was called DiSC.  Just one of many similar personality tests.  It was great that it gave methods on how to work with other people with different styles than your own.  I think it's been most valuable in making me aware of my working style, as well as helping me recognize others.

Two books come to mind when working in a team

• "The Five Dysfunctions of A Team" by Patrick Lencioni
• "What the Heck is EOS" by Gino Wickman and Tom Bower

Working in a team is all about trust and self-accountability.  Yes, there should be a team lead who is responsible for following up as fire drills tend to make us lose focus.  However, if you have the "right people in the right seats," then the follow-up tends to be easier.  Issues will tend to work itself out.

Working in teams is common both in engineering school and in practice. The principles of good teamwork are known; however, are they known to those of us who need them?

We found the Myers-Briggs Type Indicators to be a useful tool in understanding our teammates and getting their best contributions to the team's goals, though they shouldn't be taken as rigid rules. What's your experience?

Books on teamwork that we like are:

• ·         Different Drum by M. Scott Peck
• ·         Culture Code by Daniel Coyle
• ·         Type Talk at Work (Revised): How the 16 Personality Types Determine Your Success on the Job by Otto Kroeger, Janet M. Thuesen, Hile Rutledge

What's your favorite book or piece of advice on teams and teaming skills?

(Thanks to Darya Stanskova and Christopher Seigel for their contributions to this post.)

Bill Mc

That's a super testimonial, Jefferson, and corresponds to my experiences. I hadn't heard of DiSC, but will look into it.

Thanks for the book recommendations.

Bill Mc

Years ago, many in our company attended a leadership training which included a detailed personality test as well.  It was called DiSC.  Just one of many similar personality tests.  It was great that it gave methods on how to work with other people with different styles than your own.  I think it's been most valuable in making me aware of my working style, as well as helping me recognize others.

Two books come to mind when working in a team

• "The Five Dysfunctions of A Team" by Patrick Lencioni
• "What the Heck is EOS" by Gino Wickman and Tom Bower

Working in a team is all about trust and self-accountability.  Yes, there should be a team lead who is responsible for following up as fire drills tend to make us lose focus.  However, if you have the "right people in the right seats," then the follow-up tends to be easier.  Issues will tend to work itself out.

Working in teams is common both in engineering school and in practice. The principles of good teamwork are known; however, are they known to those of us who need them?

We found the Myers-Briggs Type Indicators to be a useful tool in understanding our teammates and getting their best contributions to the team's goals, though they shouldn't be taken as rigid rules. What's your experience?

Books on teamwork that we like are:

• ·         Different Drum by M. Scott Peck
• ·         Culture Code by Daniel Coyle
• ·         Type Talk at Work (Revised): How the 16 Personality Types Determine Your Success on the Job by Otto Kroeger, Janet M. Thuesen, Hile Rutledge

What's your favorite book or piece of advice on teams and teaming skills?

(Thanks to Darya Stanskova and Christopher Seigel for their contributions to this post.)

Bill Mc

We have used EOS for 5years or so and it works. It has clarified the leadership of our business. There is another book about EOS - " traction -get a grip of your business" which you need to read first. 
All  our grads have soft skills training and understand themselves via personality assessments. 

That's a super testimonial, Jefferson, and corresponds to my experiences. I hadn't heard of DiSC, but will look into it.

Thanks for the book recommendations.

Bill Mc

Years ago, many in our company attended a leadership training which included a detailed personality test as well.  It was called DiSC.  Just one of many similar personality tests.  It was great that it gave methods on how to work with other people with different styles than your own.  I think it's been most valuable in making me aware of my working style, as well as helping me recognize others.

Two books come to mind when working in a team

• "The Five Dysfunctions of A Team" by Patrick Lencioni
• "What the Heck is EOS" by Gino Wickman and Tom Bower

Working in a team is all about trust and self-accountability.  Yes, there should be a team lead who is responsible for following up as fire drills tend to make us lose focus.  However, if you have the "right people in the right seats," then the follow-up tends to be easier.  Issues will tend to work itself out.

Working in teams is common both in engineering school and in practice. The principles of good teamwork are known; however, are they known to those of us who need them?

We found the Myers-Briggs Type Indicators to be a useful tool in understanding our teammates and getting their best contributions to the team's goals, though they shouldn't be taken as rigid rules. What's your experience?

Books on teamwork that we like are:

• ·         Different Drum by M. Scott Peck
• ·         Culture Code by Daniel Coyle
• ·         Type Talk at Work (Revised): How the 16 Personality Types Determine Your Success on the Job by Otto Kroeger, Janet M. Thuesen, Hile Rutledge

What's your favorite book or piece of advice on teams and teaming skills?

(Thanks to Darya Stanskova and Christopher Seigel for their contributions to this post.)

Bill Mc

Working in teams is common both in engineering school and in practice. The principles of good teamwork are known; however, are they known to those of us who need them?

We found the Myers-Briggs Type Indicators to be a useful tool in understanding our teammates and getting their best contributions to the team's goals, though they shouldn't be taken as rigid rules. What's your experience?

Books on teamwork that we like are:

• ·         Different Drum by M. Scott Peck
• ·         Culture Code by Daniel Coyle
• ·         Type Talk at Work (Revised): How the 16 Personality Types Determine Your Success on the Job by Otto Kroeger, Janet M. Thuesen, Hile Rutledge

What's your favorite book or piece of advice on teams and teaming skills?

(Thanks to Darya Stanskova and Christopher Seigel for their contributions to this post.)

Bill Mc