If done well, teamwork can create better solutions and increase creativity, productivity and morale. Learning what goes into developing and leading successful teams is the focus of a free webinar Wednesday, April 14 at 11 a.m.

Barry Wright, Chief Executive Officer of the Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games and Associate Professor at the Goodman School of Business, will lead the session as part of the Business Breathers series facilitated by Goodman Group, the Goodman School of Business’s community-focused learning and development services provider.

The talk titled “The Power of Teamwork” will look at when to bring a team together versus when it’s a good time to let individuals work on their own. The discussion will also explore the advantages teamwork can provide if done well.

“Leading a team is truly an art form and you as the leader need to continually develop your craft,” Wright said.

Through the session, participants will hear how a team leader can develop a clear roadmap and sense of purpose for the team to follow.

“If the teamwork framework isn’t set up well, then you can expect it to fail,” Wright said. “The leader needs to make sure they have developed a strong team contract and that all team members come ready to play.”

Wright’s research centres primarily on change and its influence on organizational members.

With a PhD in Management and a Master of Arts in Psychology of Sport from Queen’s University, he has consulted with a number of organizations including Sobeys Inc., Bank of Montreal, Swim Canada, PricewaterhouseCoopers and the Insurance Bureau of Canada.

Everyone is welcome to attend the Business Breathers webinars, which feature 30 minutes of expert-led discussions, followed by a 15-minute Q&A period. Topics focus on leadership, management and innovation as well as the financial and social impacts of trending topics. Interested participants are asked to register online. A confirmation email will provide a link to access the webinar at the date and time of the event.

For people interested looking to further develop their experience in the area of teamwork, Wright will be co-leading a one-week lunchtime professional development course for Goodman Group from June 7 to 11. The online sessions, targeted at team leaders and aspiring managers, will run daily from noon to 1:30 p.m. and include both lecture content and interactive teamwork simulations.

The professional development course is $1,495 plus HST, but a 15 per cent early-bird discount is available to people who register before Friday, April 16. There are also alumni and group discounts available. 

Upcoming Business Breathers:

Wine Business Bounce Back — How wineries are using COVID to accelerate positive change
Presentation by Peter McAtamney, Wine Business Solutions
Wednesday, April 28 at 11 a.m.

Warrior Women — Indigenous Women and Leadership
Presentation by Robyn Bourgeois, Acting Vice-Provost, Indigenous Engagement, Brock University
Wednesday, May 12 at 11 a.m.