Team Dynamics and Conflict Resolution
Team Dynamics and Conflict Resolution in Work Teams What are work teams and some of the ways to resolve their differences? Work teams are a group of people working together towards a shared vision or goal. Diversified work teams can be to ones advantage or diversity can lead arguments within the team. Without team dynamics in place conflict rises, and frustration and anger start to grow. This is why learning to resolve conflict issues is so important. Team dynamics are very complex. One could define the term team dynamics as requiring individuals to motivate each other to achieve a common goal. Most of the time, without success, teams start projects without having a shared vision or goal in mind. That is what makes team dynamics so important. Team dynamics help individuals stay on task and motivate each other. They help build trust, loyalty, and communication. Teams are made up of individuals with different backgrounds, thinking styles, talents, personality traits, learning styles, academic experiences, ethics, and behaviors who have to interact with each other on various assignments and projects. Forming a team is difficult without first creating some level of trust, loyalty, and friendship. There are also unseen factors that influence how a person reacts, behaves, performs, and creates either a positive or negative outcome. For example, in a small office with only eight employees, there may be several friendships and some acquaintanceships formed. The friendships can have either a negative or positive impact on the team. If the friends conduct a great deal of socializing in the office using their regular tone of voice, that would create a positive, relaxed, comfortable atmosphere for the entire team. However, if those friends start whispering, and an acquaintance of theirs, who has had previous issues with one of the friends, hears her whispering, the acquaintance automatically assumes the low tone whispers are about her. The acquaintance, in an effort
References: Belbin, R. M. (1996) Retrieved March 22, 2005, from http://www.belbin.com/boo-mt.html Bobbin Dieter, G. (2002). Characteristics of a good team. Paper presented in the Mechanical Engineering class taught at the University of Maryland, MD. Dieter, G. (2002). Stages of team growth. Paper presented in the Mechanical Engineering class taught at the University of Maryland, MD. Dieter, G. (2002). Tips for successful meetings. Paper presented in the Mechanical Engineering class taught at the University of Maryland, MD. Englberg, I., Wynn, D., and Schuttler, R. (2003). Working in groups: Communication principles and strategies (3rd Ed.). Boston: Houghton Mifflin. pp. 146-154. Johnson & Johnson. (1998). Conflict Solvers, Conflict Resolution. (n.d.). Angry Faces Become Happy Faces. Retrieved March 18, 2005, from http://www.conflictsolvers.com.au/index.html Kennedy, M Marriott, Dr. (2002). Team building, team roles and team dynamics. Sabre Corporate Development. Retrieved March 18, 2005, from http://www.sabrehq.com/cutting-edge/team-dynamics.htm Mitchell, R Murdock, M. (2004). When your heart decides the destination, your mind will design the map to reach it. Wisdom Center. Retrieved April 1, 2005, from http://www.mikemurdock.com/murdock2front.asp?id=2 Swales, C Team Dynamics: What they are and how they affect the team. (2004). Team Technology, 2. Retrieved March 18, 2005, from http://www.teamtechnology.co.uk/team-dynamics.html Team Dynamics: What they are and how they affect the team University of Phoenix, (n.d.). Introduction to ethics for the University of Phoenix students. Retrieved March 22, 2005, from myresource.phoenix.edu https://mycampus.phoenix.edu/secure/resource/resource.asp University of Texas, (n.d.)