Initially, teams are formed of individuals who act separately. If a team is going to accomplish its mission, however, its members must learn to work together as a unit. Ideally, each team member will take responsibility not only for his own growth, but for the development of his partners as well. Why? Because a team is only as strong as its weakest member. Teams whose members add value to the whole succeed where other teams fail. You're to be commended for your commitment to teamwork. This series, Participating in Teams, has been written just for you, the team member. It's designed to assist you with building a strong, successful team. You'll start by exploring various strategies for making "the whole greater than the sum of its parts." Next, you'll learn how to communicate proactively and effectively with other team members. Finally, you'll define your role on a team and what you can do to advance your skill set and strengthen the team.