Team Dynamics and Conflict Resolution

Team Dynamics and Conflict Resolution

Section 1

Team Dynamics

Let us start this discussion into team dynamics with some definitions. Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary defines dynamic as a pattern or process of change, growth, or activity. It also defines team as a number people associated in work or activity. So it leads that teamwork should be the interaction of individuals for a common purpose and committed to success for all members.

The concept and use of teams has been with mankind since before recorded history. In earlier times men would hunt in teams having the common purpose to supply food for their families. Through the ages teams have gone through stages of development, recently more and more into specialized units to reach shared goals or tasks. The point is that teams are not new.

Today the process of change can happen in a blink of the eye. Keeping up with the ever-changing ideas and practices have led businesses, educational, and professional institutions to adopt teams as a way of coping with change. Businesses have made use of the team concept to solve both economic and resource problems. From what I have been able to read it seems that the use of teams in recent years has increased dramatically since the early 1990's in response to economic problems. So much so that building teams has become somewhat of art, or to be put more exactly, a skill of combining the talents of many and sometimes only a few individuals to fulfill a common purpose. This is one trait of a leader in the team environment. All of us know what teams mean in sports. Growing up in United States many of us has had a favorite team be it in football or in baseball or whatever sport. Each of those types of teams trade members trying to build the best team. But once the right people are brought together and cohesion begins to solidify between members those teams begin to excel.

So what are the building blocks that make teams succeed and conquer obstacles? Just a few are the use of diversity and constructive conflict. Just like the sports team trying to gather the best players, teams in all areas need to diversify. The use of people with all the same skills will not help a team succeed in today's world. There must be people with skills in all areas that together compliment each other. Leading back to the definition of dynamic as the team grows patterns that make good use of communication, collaboration, and the sharing of decision-making will promote a trust relationship from within among the members. Once trust has been established between team members, teams can move past obstacles that hinder success, for example sharing knowledge. This leads us to using constructive conflict to promote new ways to solving problems and completing tasks. Once a nurturing environment is established team members can feel comfortable with bringing up their ideas to other members and not fear ridicule.