With over 25 years of research and experience Devin Booker Jersey , we have observed countless groups struggle with activities in our Team Building Seminars. These groups all had the same common denominators, whether they were strangers or intact work teams, that became apparent during the first activity in which they were asked to work effectively together.
At least four issues were found to inhibit these start-up groups from functioning as a team:
Task fixation, process blindness Power struggles Fight versus flight Stereotyping Task Fixation, Process Blindness
Individual members justify any behavior as okay if it contributes to achieving the end-product ? successful completion of the tasks needed in achieving the goal. Little or no concern was exhibited for how the group functioned during the (teambuilding) goal ? the process. We were able to magnify this view by placing time limits on performance of our exercises within the team building seminar.
With this view, any means justify the end Phoenix Suns Jersey , like sacrificing team members, forming sub-groups to the exclusion of others, or not getting the commitment of all team members, are justified under the rubric of getting the task accomplished: ?We had to do that to get the job done.? Who can argue with success, even if there were casualties along the way? You can, if you were one of the casualties.
In a new group that is fixated totally on task success Ben Simmons Jersey , individuals focus on their own needs to the exclusion of the needs of others. There is no support, recognition that individual differences are a potential benefit, deferring of egos, brainstorming, seeking commitment, or flexibility. However subtle or covert Wilson Chandler Jersey , selfish competition is justified as necessary to expedite the achievement of the goal. Power Struggles
Internal conflicts generally make up part of the dynamics when establishing a new group. Leadership: do we need a leader, who is going to lead, or will we follow the appointed leader? Teams asked to perform leaderless tasks or act as a volunteer group struggle most with issues of leadership. In many of our team building seminars, groups explain that many of our exercises would have been easier if we had appointed a leader. Yet, after having experimented with appointing a leader, we observed the group's behavior remained the same. The only difference is that one person Joel Embiid Jersey , the leader, becomes frustrated by hisher inability to get the groups cooperation and the battle for influence and power still continues.
Dominant individuals scramble to be recognized and gain influence with others. Disagreements over ideas quickly are positioned as win-lose alternatives. Accepting my ideas mean rejecting yours. We have seen high-achieving executives? egos keep them from 'dimming their headlights? and deferring to other team members.
Who's in and who's out is another conflict which often exists as part of the dominant-individual struggle. Cliques, groups within groups, and ?We? versus ?Them? are terms used to describe this situation. In new groups this struggle is fostered by the need to find someone who will support your (teambuilding) ideas. Once found, the divisiveness of positions or lobbying for a majority vote starts. The ?outs? resent the ?ins? and will resist their ideas, sabotage their plans JJ Redick Jersey , or simply refuse to be fully functioning members of the team. Fight or Flight
Likewise, in many of our team building seminars, the following fight or flight behaviors were observed:
Unwillingness to listen to others Fear of speaking up or fighting for a position Low trust in other members, causing withdrawal Taking the task too lightly Little group planning Non-involvement Silence as preferable to vulnerability
Regardless of the behavior, the result is the same: the team loses resources, energy Allen Iverson Jersey , and creativity. Decisions are made and plans are implemented with less than total group input and support. It is frustrating to be a team member when fight or flight behavior is exhibited. Unless the team is organizationally mandated to remain in existence, this dissatisfaction and frustration among the members will cause it to perish. Stereotyping
New groups are particularly susceptible to this struggle when individual differences recognized and taken into consideration, or generalizations about motives and behaviors are made about the members of a group?
The first common stereotypical behavior to emerge, that we observed, was in malefemale roles. More often that not, females are given a secondary role Philadelphia 76ers Jersey , are not allowed to perform physical tasks like lifting other, and are listened to only as a last resort. A more subtle stereotyping occurs when physical size is equated with strength, balance, and athletic agility. Often, the largest male is often forced into the position of lifting, carrying Evan Fournier Jersey , or pulling others even when activities in later exercises prove this stereotype, equating size with strength, is false.
We are constantly amazed, after only a brief introduction, how quickly generalizations are made about individuals. These stereotypes serve as blinders and keep the group from using all the resources available to the team.