Meet President Tom Champoux and Senior Partner George Myers, at our complimentary workshop, Leveraging Team Dynamics, on June 16, 2011. Click here for more information.
A few days ago I wrote about why “doubt” is so destructive to team synergy and why clarity is absolutely essential to a high performing team. In that text, I referenced the “unintentional” doubt that is so destructive to team dynamics. I want to explore that a little deeper.
We all have patterns of behavior that are comfortable to us as we accomplish tasks and interact with people. Each of us, through life experiences, has developed combinations of patterns that help us achieve our goals. Doubt or uncertainty unintentionally develops when we experience a pattern that is different than our own or behaviors that we were not expecting to see. The primal concern of safety is alerted and hesitancy appears. The typical response is fight or flight – neither are productive.
Team dynamics not only encourages, but embraces, those same differences…but in a positive fashion. The theory of opposites provides a beginning point. How would we appreciate sun light if there was no darkness; joy if there were no sadness; warmth if there were no cold?
But opposites alone do not create the synergy. There must also be commonness or principles that bring us together so our differences have power. The athletic example is easy: how can you win if you have great offense and no defense. Or a great defense but you can’t score…both are needed. How can one be so results-oriented that people are destroyed? Or so people-oriented that little is accomplished? Both are needed…task accomplishment and respectful treatment of people. The power of differences is the leverage point. Differences combined with principles create the synergy that accomplishes the goal and drives the purpose…and that is what team dynamics is all about.
Join Effectiveness Institute for a complimentary workshop, Leveraging Team Dynamics, on June 16, 2011, Seattle WA. Featuring Senior Consultant and Partner, George Myers and Effectiveness Institute President, Tom Champoux.
