My teamwork experience has been mostly within an organization called Cultural Connections, where I am part of a team of facilitators that work within rural communities in an Asset Based Community Development view. These communities face adversity of all sorts, from a low socio-economic perspective to a lack of access to health care and mental health support. It takes constant communication. Even though this happens, it is often misinterpreted due to cultural differences, and also to possibly the way the communication was transmitted. We as a team have tried to counter this by keeping things as simple, clear and to the point as possible, and using various creative ways to convey messages, including Zoom calls, WhatsApp chats, telephone calls, and in-person sessions. During these in-person sessions, especially if there are emotional factors involved or difficult conversations to be had, we have found that if the group partakes in some creative activity such as drawing or making something with their hands, it can facilitate more positive outcomes or even more participation in the conversation. Often things that were misinterpreted before, could be sorted out this way.
I believe team work is of such importance when it comes to health care. Even though there is no I in the team, there is a me. We should constantly be aware that every member of the team brings something of themselves to the team. This “me-ness” should be validated as well, that everyone has a voice at all times.
