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Minds on

MINDS ON

Think about a time when you have been in an ineffective (definition:Not producing results.) group situation.

  • What happened?
  • How did you know the group was ineffective?
  • How did you feel?
  • Can you identify what went wrong?

Watch these two short videos on teams. What makes the team work well together? What makes them fall apart?

 
 

There is no set formula for what makes the team effective, and different groups and situations require different approaches.  Make sure you approach each case with an open mind and a positive attitude.

Action.

ACTION

Teamwork

If people have a hard time working together, can the tasks be divided with each doing their part to achieve the overall goal?  Why is this not always realistic?  Why do you think teamwork is so important?

Based on your own experiences, what makes a great team/group?

In the following article, The Psychology of Teamwork: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teams from Positive Psychology Program, the author provides observations and tips on what makes a “champion team”.  While you read, consider what you feel makes the team work well. What is the core ingredient for a successful team?

Read this article, The Psychology of Teamwork: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teams from Positive Psychology Program (Original article)

If you want to view any links in this pdf, right click and select "Open Link in New Tab" to avoid leaving this page. (View the original article.)

 
 

This is the discussion icon. Effective Teams

Below you will find a list of factors that can make a team effective or ineffective. If there is a word you do not understand, try the online dictionary or ask your teacher.

  • Communication;
  • Leadership;
  • Vision;
  • Adaptability;
  • Diversity;
  • Conflict management;
  • Criticism.
  1. Explain how each factor can make a team both effective and ineffective.

For example, communication can be an effective factor when everyone feels safe to share their ideas and all members consider all ideas.  It can be an ineffective factor if members are unwilling to hear others’ opinions, there is negativity and a lack of respect.

Do you always have to agree with everyone on your team for the team to be considered successful?  What do you do when you cannot get along or come to an agreement on an important idea or decision?

You do not have to like your team members (sometimes personalities clash), but you should be able to put your differences aside and act professionally.  Acting professionally means you focus on the task at hand, you look at the big picture and you do not let personal issues affect the work the team is doing.  Think about that a little bit.

This is the Portfolio icon. Journal: My Team Experience

Think about a time you were on a team with someone you did not get along with.  Did you work well together?  Why or why not?  How do you act when you are put in a group with someone you do not get along with?  Are you able to put your differences aside and get the work done?  Do you become quiet and withdrawn?  Do you become confrontational?

Respond to these questions in your journal.

 

An effective team does not avoid conflict and does not shy away from disagreement. An effective team understands that sometimes conflict is unavoidable and are comfortable openly discussing their disagreements.

In an ineffective team, conflict is not dealt with very well or at all.  Members keep things bottled up (do not share with others) or have angry outbursts.  Sometimes there may be angry outbursts or tensions that make everyone uncomfortable.  This is a good time for the leader to step in and help resolve the situation.

This is the dropbox icon. Steps to Resolve Team Conflicts

There are steps and strategies that can help a team that has fallen off track because of conflict and disagreement.

Complete the following interactive to learn more about these steps. Read each step/strategy and respond to the prompted questions.  

StepsToResolveTeamConflict

Long Description

 
Consolidation

CONSOLIDATION

This is the dropbox icon. Team Problem Solving Scenario

Problem-solve a team situation.

Find a clip that shows a team in conflict or a group reaching a disagreement.  How would you diffuse a situation?

For example, you could watch an episode of Big Bang Theory or one of these problems faced by the characters in Modern Family.

Write a script, record a conversation between the people involved or record a live-action resolution.

Make sure that in your product you:  

  1. Clearly identify the problem.
  2. Clearly identify a communication and conflict management strategy to resolve the conflict.
test text.