Healthy dynamic teams develop creative and innovative solutions to complex problems, increase productivity, and provide colleague collaboration and support. It’s important to take a multifaceted approach to create healthy team dynamics, and to understand best practice in team development and effective problem-solving techniques and strategies. The benefits healthy team dynamics can provide include; a sense of belonging, identity and self-esteem, stress reduction and greater wellbeing.

Shared Purpose

“A team is a group of people with different abilities, talents, experience, and backgrounds who have come together for a shared purpose. Despite their individual differences, their common goals provide the thread that defines them as a team.”

Role Clarity

“[The biggest team killer] is the lack of clarity in roles and responsibilities – who does what, when, why and with whom.”      (Eduardo Salas)

Effective Communication

Good communication is the foundation of any successful relationship – personal or professional.

• How do we communicate?
• Does this change depending on the individual or the context (e.g. family member, colleague)?
• What communication skills do you think are important for a colleague?

Elements of Effective Communication

• Make time and space for communication
• Show Respect
• Use Active Listening Skills
• Have Empathy
• Be Mindful of Body Language
• Use Assertive Communication

Active Listening

Listen carefully and show interest:

• Do not interrupt the speaker
• Maintain interest throughout conversation & demonstrate interest e.g. eye contact
• Avoid evaluating straight away e.g. don’t form an opinion

Show empathy:

• Acknowledge feelings verbally

Clarify:

• Clarify the message with the speaker e.g. it sounds like your saying that…
• Ask for details e.g. tell me exactly what happened

Provide feedback:

• Feedback the message you were given in a non-evaluative manner
• Avoid judgement

Non-Verbal Communication

For effective communication to take place, it’s also important to be mindful of non-verbal communication:

• Facial expressions
• Gestures
• Para-linguistics (tone of voice)
• Body language (including posture)
• Eye gazing

Barriers to Effective Communication

• Evaluation/Judgment
• Jumping to conclusions
• Wanting to fix things
• Wishful hearing (selective listening)
• Too much talking
• Fear
• Derailing

Managing Workplace Conflict

Conflict is a normal and expected part of relationships, and should be managed in a constructive way.

What Can Cause Conflict?

• Poor communication
• Cultural, social or personal differences
• Different perspectives and past experiences
• Differences over work methods or goals
• Eroding of personal and professional boundaries

Effective Conflict Management

Can result in…

Increased self knowledge: Conflict forces people to explore their goals in close detail, helping them understand what is most important to them

Increased understanding: Expands awareness and insight into how their goals can be achieved without undermining the goals of others

Increased group cohesion: When managed effectively, team members strengthen mutual respect and faith in their ability to work together

Managing Conflict

• Identify the problem
• Re-frame as shared problem-solving (rather than conflict)
• Use clear and open communication
• Brainstorm solutions using collaborative problem solving
• Find solutions where both parties benefit
• Identify ways both parties can commit to improving the situation