Team Dynamics, Team Building & Conflict Resolution.

Team Dynamics, Team Building& Conflict Resolution

Team Dynamics

• Expect short attention spans, so plan 10-15 minutes

per activity.

• Warm up with improvisational activities, Instant

Challenges or brainstorming before you work on the

Team Challenge.

• Have SHORT meetings!

• End each meeting with a silly activity.

Early Learning Teams

• Plan your meeting as you would with an Early

Learning team, only a little longer.

• De-emphasize competition and emphasize FUN.

• Work on team-building and team identity with fun

activities.

• Structure meetings tightly so you don’t waste time.

• Draw out the strengths of quieter kids and insist on

everyone’s involvement and mutual respect.

• Hold a dress rehearsal 2 weeks before tournament,

and celebrate afterward—reduce stress for all!

• Don’t let them see you sweat!

Elementary Teams

• Hormones + broken hearts = nut house!

• These students lack focus, above all, so keep your meetings SHORT!

• Split into subgroups for specific tasks to keep conflicts to a minimum.

• Team-building is a must—get away from the meeting place and do something different!

• Kids should write their own behavior contract. Then YOU can enforce it.

• Accept that your priorities are not their priorities.

• End meetings early if they’re unproductive.

Middle School Teams

• Their motto: “We Can Do It All Ourselves.”

• Solving the Challenge themselves is not the problem,

but group cohesiveness is—when to delegate and

when to lead. You are the team’s “watchdog.”

• Gently emphasize life skills: being on time, being

prepared, setting an agenda, setting deadlines,

delegating their own responsibilities.

• Time is a problem—don’t expect the same level of

ability and commitment from all members

• Above all, enjoy these kids, and let them fly!

High School Teams

Team Building

Recognize & Appreciate Diversity

• Up to 7 team members

• Close in age/grade-level

• Will have different

– Personalities

– Ideas

– Abilities and Skills

– Interests

– Learning Styles

The Individual Specialties Inventory

Identifies individual interests and specialties and allows

the group to find their overall strengths and interests.

Quality Teamwork

• Develops from:

– Shared Experiences

– Trust

– Mutual respect

– Time

• Requires effort – it will not happen overnight nor

without work from all team members and the Team

Manager

Discuss what makes a great team

1. Members trust each other.

2. Goals are clear and determined by members.

3. Members feel as if they belong.

4. There is willingness to hear new ideas and

suggestions.

5. Members identify with each other’s experiences.

More qualities of great teams

6. Conflict is recognized and discussed with the intent

to resolve it.

7. Members accept responsibility for group functions.

8. Communication between members is clear and

direct.

9. Members use each other as a resource and as

support.

10. Members define and understand ground rules.

KILLER Statements

1. We don’t have time for that now.

2. That’s a stupid idea. You know that’s impossible.

3. You’re really weird!

4. Are you crazy? Are you kidding me? Are you

serious?

5. Only girls/boys do that!

6. Wow, he’s strange, really strange!

7. That stuff is for wimps.

Stages of Team Development

• Forming – coming together to form a team

• Storming – creating a “team” feeling

• Norming – accomplishing tasks

• Performing – self-directed progress

• Adjourning – recognizing and celebrating success

Team Development

• Teams often move back and forth between stages of

development

• Teams can get “stuck” in a stage and require an

extra push to proceed to the next stage

• Team-building activities can help to effectively create

shared experiences that move the team from one

stage of development to the next

• Tying the Knot

• Blind Polygon

• Helium Hula Hoop

• Back-to-Back Drawing

• Go!

• “Trust” activities

• And many more…

Some Team Building Activities

Conflict Resolution

• Not trusting fellow group members

• Not doing what you say you’re going to do

• Making someone feel they don’t belong

• Not respecting another person’s strengths or

weaknesses

• Wanting to be in charge all the time

• Refusing to accept that not all ideas will be used or

that your idea is going to be changed by the group

• Blaming others when something goes wrong

• Refusing to accept group decisions

Typical conflict situations

• Help each other be right, not wrong.

• Look for ways to make new ideas work, not reasons

why they won’t work.

• Help each other achieve and take pride in each

other’s progress and work.

• Try to maintain a positive mental attitude, no matter

what the circumstances.

• Do everything with enthusiasm—it is contagious.

• Have FUN!

Creating a positive climate heads off conflict

• You are a T.E.A.M.: Together Everyone Accomplishes

More!

• There is no “I” in team.

• It takes many types of skills and talents to get a well-

rounded solution.

• The team is developing the solution, not one or two

people.

• There are no bad ideas, only good ones and better

ones. How can we improve this idea?

Key Phrases to Encourage Cooperation

• Mediation

• Reflective Listening

• Role Playing

• Role Reversals

• “Work Out” corner

Conflict Resolution Techniques

• Team rules

• Unfocused team member(s)

• Excessive talker

• Bickering and “put-downs”

• Lack of respect between 2 team members

• “Out of sorts” team member

• Difficult child

• Team is not getting anywhere

Experienced TM suggestions for conflict resolution

• Make sure meetings are not all business—take time

for silliness and snacks!

• Don’t expect equal commitment from all team

members—diversity makes a team strong.

• If not much is getting done, it’s time to do an IC,

throw snowballs or do a hamster dance.

• Pair up kids who work well together: divide and

conquer.

• Younger kids need to meet for shorter periods, while

older teams can stay focused for hours

More conflict resolution tips from TMs

• Key to avoiding squabbles is TEAM BUILDING, but

conflict is normal.

• There are great conflict resolution techniques you

can use to minimize, deflect or resolve conflict.

• Encourage your team to discuss the characteristics of

good teamwork.

What have we learned today?

Activity:Conflict Resolution

Role Play