Teamwork and Cross-Cultural Collaboration

By the end, you can contribute reliably to a team, handle disagreement respectfully, and work well with people from different backgrounds.

Job-ready skillAbout 15 hours3 stagesFree

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Teamwork is working well with others towards a shared goal. In South Africa, teams often include people of many languages, cultures and ages, so respect and clear communication are essential.

Turn on JavaScript to track your progress. The lessons are:FoundationsUnderstand what makes teams work.Task: Think of the best and worst team you have been in (sport, school, church, work). Write what made the difference.Core skillsPractise collaboration, feedback and respectful disagreement.Task: Take on a shared task with two or three people. Agree roles and a deadline in writing, and afterwards each give one piece of kind, specific feedback.Applied practiceWork across cultures and languages.Task: Learn ten useful greetings and phrases in a South African language you do not speak, and use them respectfully. Write what you learned about the culture.

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What competent looks like

Keeps promises to the team
Shares information openly
Disagrees respectfully and resolves conflict
Respects different cultures and languages
Gives and receives useful feedback

The South African route

No qualification needed. Show it through references and examples from volunteer work, sport, church or group projects.

Free resources

Teamwork skills courses (free)
OpenLearn

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Jobs it can lead to

Any role
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