​Del Norte County Health and Human Services 
UC Davis Instructor – Joe Tassinari 

Below are the findings from the UC Davis workshops "How To Work As A Team" conducted in the beautiful beach town of Crescent City, CA with Del Norte County Health & Human Service personnel.

The findings detailed below were gathered during the workshops from the participants; they include shared wisdom and evaluation comments. Findings are echoed here as evidence of team voice, collaboration and reflection.

Thursday Workshop        Friday Workshop

5/1/14 Del Norte County HHS, 29 participants
UCD Workshop "How To Work As A Team"

Group Agreements – during today’s training we all agree to have …

• Opportunity to share
• Right to pass
• Freedom to express new ideas
• Have fun!

Δ Some DHHS team features that need improvement …

• Communication throughout
• Confidence in self & team
• UPR – Unconditional Positive Regard
• Solid understanding of procedures
• CCC – Communication, Clarification, Consistency

✚  Some DHHS team features that are working well …

• Supportive work partners
• Empowering clients’ self sufficiency
• Common Goal – to help clients
• We are adaptable to new systems and all personalities
• We foster a positive training environment

What Makes A Good Team  (photo by Char – outside the VFW Building)

• Commitment
• Solution-oriented
• Diversity
• Positive Attitude
• Acceptance
• Insight
• Humor
• Energy
• Communication
• Feeling Equal
• Positivity
• Good Team Leader
• Willingness to Participate
• Work through different opinions
• When people are willing to speak up
• Feeling comfortable around each other
• Diversity
• No fear
• Balance
• Be Nice
• Comfortable environment (heat)
• Input/Feedback
• Unity through Diversity

Evaluation Comments …

What were the strengths of the course? What did you value most?

• Flowed and was Fun. Very interactive!
• It was fun
• How the instructor pulls everyone in and has them work together as a whole.
• I got to have a fake name and got to “pass” if I didn’t want to talk.
• It was interactive and honest.
• Time off with co-workers away from office was well spent.
• Enjoyed the class, it was fun and enlightening. I like that we are able to pass if we don’t want to share, etc.
• I enjoyed the step-in/step-out game. The course was entertaining and challenging.
• I valued the ability to collaborate with each other to make this an enjoyable learning experience.
• This was way better than I thought it was going to be.
• Right to pass. I like the example agenda for staff meetings.
• Joe was awesome.
• The instructor actively engaged his audience – I would definitely take another class from him.
• The exercises and hands on approach.
• I like the way the instructor encouraged participation.
• Joey and the whole group.
• The interactive parts of the training.
• Activities, instructor.
• The balance between theory and participation. Learning tools that will enhance my work environment.
• The activities.
• The reinforcement of a positive perception. My co-workers stories and experiences.
• Open instruction, easy going. Fun. Can do or not do.
• The instructor encouraged responses from attendees – great examples by instructor for applying concepts to job.
• It was interactive. I valued the comfort level I felt.
• It was fun, informative and very interesting.
• Made me feel good about what I do. Encouraged discussion.
• Joe has a warm, welcoming training style. Makes it very easy to participate.

How could this course be improved?

• It was good as is.
• Snacks!
• More employees from different branches.
• More explicit examples of ways to implement.
• I only marked 4 for the course handouts because I probably won't read them through no fault other than myself. Drinks would be nice.
• N/A
• I appreciated multiple departments participating together. I would suggest strategically mixing the group from multiple county agencies.
• Acknowledge negativity.
• Make it 2 days long.
• No improvements needed.
• food 
• No improvements.
• Non really – enjoyable!
• Doesn’t need any.

How will you apply what you learned?

• I will be more cooperative.
• Not be so serious.
• Apply this to staff meetings and with youth meetings.
• Remember to share a positive attitude – it helps those around you.
• I will try to remember to use compliments with my co-workers so I can be more positive thus more happy and productive at work.
• I will continue to be positive at work and at home.
• I will practice collaboration and equality.
• I will empower my coworkers.
• Be positive and understanding.
• Better organization of team objectives, (2) Include “human elements” in the work day. (3) Express appreciation for others more freely.
• I will appreciate my co-workers more.
• The course concepts to all co-workers.
• Work better in teams!
• I will reflect on the tools I have been given & find the places at work & at home where I can implement them.
• Communicate better with my team & compliment people more.
• Share with my work team. Remember to always find the beauty in everyone. Thank You Joe!
• I’ll be more open and confident.
• Be more open to discussion with co-workers to complete tasks by easier and more compatible methods.
• By being more comfortable in my working environment.
• I will apply the knowledge gained today to my everyday interactions at work.
• I will use what I learned during training.
• Positive attitude and work on team skills we learned today.
• Remember the goals of teamwork. Give understanding to others opinions.

5/2/14 Del Norte County HHS,  21 participants
UCD Workshop “How To Work As A Team”

Group Agreements – during today’s training we all agree to have …

• Have a good day and move on!
• Be Positive!

Δ Some DHHS team features that need improvement …

• Positive and Accurate Communication
• Procedural Clarification
• Protected Time
• Better Organizational Flow

✚  Some DHHS team features that are working well …

• Food (shared among team members during work)
• We leave at 5pm sharp and get paid on time
• Supervisors who have a positive attitude towards and enlightened work environment
• Humor

What Makes A Good Team

• Respect
• The players
• Let everyone be in charge
• Communication
• Laughter
• Respect for each other
• Ability to learn new things, and work together
• Dismissing Drama
• A team goal all agree on

Evaluation Comments …

What were the strengths of the course? What did you value most?

• Involving everyone and giving everyone a chance to speak and take charge.
• The finding the right path game.
• The active group activities reinforced the information and values we said today. The positive energy made this training fun and enlightening.
• Very informative and relaxing.
• Joe’s direction and attempt to make us feel included.
• Being with workgroup.
• The easy going and comfort of the training.
• The instructor knows how to engage the crowd and makes it fun to train.
• Attempt at including everyone.
• Thanks – always fun, always enlightening.
• Positive instructor.
• The overall presentation was enjoyable – I really enjoyed the adjustment of class info to “Friday training” Thank You.
• Team work. I love the whole workshop.
• This course dealt entirely with presented subject matter and involved activities that enabled learners to consume knowledge.
• Appreciate respect of Friday afternoon mentality. The circle of group and end … so simple to stop & just be grateful.
• Including everyone and making it fun.

How could this course be improved?

• N/A
• If instructor provided pizza.
• Knowing all positive outcomes of good teamwork, I would like to know more about the negatives.
• N/A
• Not sure.
• Lead a workgroup that really gets into specific issues and brings up possible solutions to implement.
• Make the training longer and mandatory for all employees.
• Nothing.
• Pizza.
• 1) Week long 2) Mandatory management
• Bring donuts in morning or some more great lime chips – that was the ice breaker.
• None.
• Different activities when he comes next time.
• A management only course – how to handle negativity in employees, share ideas and techniques on how to generate positive employees.
• Not sure.

How will you apply what you learned?

• I will avoid negative people at work, smile more, give honest compliments, and appreciate my teammates.
• Try to be more positive every day.
• Try some new ideas at home with family.
• Use more words and gratitude with my workplace and unit.
• Good reminder of how important teamwork is.
• Honestly, I probably won’t change anything.
• Each time workgroup meets together it should make it easier to be in the office – I know ppt more and that will help.
• I will use this daily at work and home. 
• In my everyday occurrence with employees.
• Keep a smile.
• Return to the workplace with a better attitude.
• Work and personal life.
• I already practice all these methods and this has  been reinforcement so now maybe people won’t think I’m goofy.
• Will try gratification exercise at next staff meeting.
• Work on always being positive, have an attitude of gratitude, laugh more, don’t sweat the small stuff.

​- End of findings UCD workshops "How To Work As A Team" Del Norte Co. HHS –
What makes a good team? – collaborative wisdom.
contact UCD instructor Joe Tassinari