ABSTRACT
Not every form of collaboration is teamwork. In reality, very few groups actually work as “teams”; rather, they “merely” cooperate, meaning that a manager’s mandate may initiate, control, if necessary correct, and thus “centrally” steer the work. True teamwork – in which all team members influence each other and allow themselves to be influenced by one another – is only necessary where the problem at hand requires new approaches, and thus innovation and creativity. This chapter shows how vital openness and trust are to true teamwork, and how we can foster teamwork through using methods from applied improvisation. Central points are that we listen and respond to each other, that offers are accepted, and that all team members both take the lead and allow themselves to be led.
