Group work
Explore the importance of group work and how you can work effectively with others.
Why is working as a group important?
Working effectively as part of a group is an essential skill for your future. The ability to work collaboratively is also a highly prized attribute valued by employers. Therefore, groupwork is part of most programmes at Nottingham and might be an assessed part of your course, for example, you may be asked to give a peer review of other people in your group.
Whether groupwork is assessed or not, there are enormous benefits that can be gained from learning how to work efficiently with others.
Key skills
Effective groupwork requires you to develop a wide range of personal skills such as:
- Being able to see things from other people’s perspectives
- Communication skills – including listening skills
- Being assertive - but not aggressive
- Negotiation and persuasion skills
- Giving and receiving feedback
As you work in group projects, you will begin to develop practical as well as interpersonal skills.
Explore these resources to help you consider your skills
Effective group meetings
When working on a group project, arrange regular meetings with the group.
This can help you to monitor progress, assign tasks, and ensure you are all aiming for the same outcome. It is a good idea to have a member take notes at each meeting.
Study resource: Communication for effective meetings
Active listening skills
Whether meeting online or in-person, listening carefully to your fellow team members can help them to feel valued.
Try to avoid interrupting others when they speak and consider how your body language shows whether you are listening.
Study resource: Why is listening important for group work?
Assigning roles and tasks
At the start of any project, define the tasks involved and discuss who in your group will work on each task.
These decisions can be based on who feels confident in certain skills, or on skills that team members want to develop.
Watch: Group roles
Dealing with group work challenges
You will likely work with people from a diverse range of backgrounds, who have different needs and preferences.
This is both why group work is so rewarding, and sometimes a challenge.
Study resource: Group work challenges
Continue your journey
You may also be interested in:
Further support
Careers and employability
Disability support services