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Module Summary
Module Summary
This module focuses on the core principle of team spirit. In its aspirational culture, UNFPA is centralizing the concept of team spirit because it is essential to our success as a global team. Team spirit is essentially the practice of building team cohesion - a sense of connectedness among a team that allows them to trust one another and achieve goals together. Team spirit can enhance team productivity, boost morale, foster open communication, and promote more trusting and constructive relationships within a team.
According to the 2021 Global Staff Survey, 84% of UNFPA staff believe that their team cooperates to get the job done, 74% of staff agree that UNFPA encourages collaboration and cross-fertilization across teams, and 72% of staff believe that UNFPA leadership supports a collaborative culture that encourages different departments to work cross-functionally to identify and develop new innovations and solutions.
The data suggest that there is a culture of team spirit at UNFPA. However, there is still an opportunity for UNFPA to grow in this area, increasing team spirit through building safer and more collaborative environments, a stronger culture of recognition and feedback, and working together towards common goals.
This module, therefore, presents resources that can support you and your team to reach the following key outcomes, which promote team cohesion and a sense of team spirit.
For an overview of Module 4, click on the video.
For an overview of Module 4, click on the video.
module-4-video.mp4Use the following links to download Module 4 in your language of choice.
Use the following links to download Module 4 in your language of choice.
As we aim to promote and uphold our aspirational culture, this module explains and explores the following concepts to foster an even stronger team spirit at UNFPA.
Key Techniques MODULE 4
Key Techniques MODULE 4
Below are some of the key techniques that are included in Module 4 and that aim to help you demonstrate team spirit in your daily interactions at work.
'Psychological Safety'
'Psychological safety' refers to "the belief that one will not be punished or humiliated for speaking up with ideas, questions, concerns, or mistakes". A 'psychologically safe' environment helps team members to feel included and safe to step out of their comfort zone and put forth creative ideas without fear of reprisal. To learn how to create a more 'psychologically safe' environment, download Module 4 and refer to Page 7.
What does it mean to have healthy and productive conflict?
When teams have a foundation of vulnerability-based trust, conflict is an attempt to find the best possible solution in the shortest period of time. A fear of conflict leads to a workplace that is incapable of having unfiltered, passionate discussions about things that matter, causing team members to avoid conflict. To learn more, download Module 4 and refer to Page 9.
The role of the leader
Patrick Lencioni, author of The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, speaks about five dysfunctions of a team that contribute to a lack of psychological safety in a team. The five disfunctions are: absence of trust, fear of conflict, lack of commitment, avoidance of accountability, and inattention to results. To learn more about these disfunctions and the specific role of the leader in handling them, download Module 4 and refer to Page 10.
The importance of the physical environment
The physical work environment comprises all the physical conditions where a person works. There are several ways to design our physical space in a way that supports and promotes a collaborative and innovative culture and nudge us, as personnel, in the right way. To learn more about fostering a collaborative workspace, download Module 4 and refer to Page 13.
Socializing with colleagues
Developing a sense of connectedness between colleagues is key to building team spirit and promoting teamwork. This can be done through encouraging and providing opportunities for socializing. This tool provides a range of suggestions for how to encourage and provide opportunities for socializing within and outside of the workplace. To learn more, download Module 4 and refer to Page 15.
Giving feedback well
When giving feedback, colleagues should understand the feedback and it should be delivered in a way that signals respect and appreciation for their work. This tool provides a format for giving feedback in a way that will help your colleague to feel valued, while also receiving feedback that makes sense and is tangible. To learn more about this technique, download Module 4 and refer to Page 21.
Templates, Tools, and Guides
Templates, Tools, and Guides
Click on the images below to download a range of templates, tools, and guides that you can use for individual, partner, or team activities to get a better understanding of how to demonstrate team spirit in the workplace and thus, contribute to promoting UNFPA's aspirational culture.
Pulse Survey
Pulse Survey
The purpose of the pulse survey is to assess to which extent UNFPA personnel are already embodying team spirit in their daily interactions. This will help us understand whether UNFPA is moving in the direction of its aspirational culture and which additional actions are needed to fully actualize it. Please take two minutes to fill out the form below. Your reply will remain anonymous.
Module 4 ES.pdfModule 4 FR.pdfSpanish Translation of the Page
French Translation of the Page
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