Planning ahead alleviates teamwork woes

Before the end of last quarter I discussed some of the difficulties that may arise when individuals work in teams. I mentioned some important ways of dealing with conflict among team members. Teamwork is one time when the adage “the best defense is a good offense” is important and practical advice. Before beginning work on the project, it is beneficial for team members to plan ahead for possible problems that may arise.

Teams function very much on the principles of group dynamics, and groups tend to operate in a somewhat predictable way. Knowing how groups tend to operate can help you prepare for what may arise in your team. If team members have never worked with one another before, meetings at first will be very friendly and formal. After some time, members will begin to assign roles to themselves and others. During this time, members may vie for control of the group and want to establish themselves as leader. This can be a difficult time for group members and there may be significant conflict at this time, and planning for this time can be very helpful in keeping the team on track. Following this period of upheaval, if the team is able to navigate the problems, there can be a period of increased output and cohesiveness. Achieving this requires teams to maintain maturity during the difficult times and to not resort to treating one another negatively.

Prior to beginning work on the project, team members should discuss what they will do when problems occur. Knowing how everyone should handle the situation before it happens allows for the group to maintain some focus on the project. Team members can simply refer to the previously decided on ground rules and use them to help ease the difficulties. Some important ground rules and decisions to make prior to starting the group are: Will there be a team leader and if so who will that person be?

It may also be important to focus on how decisions will be made: Will the leader make the final decision or will the team want to come to a consensus? There should also be discussion about how difficulties will be handled: Who will address the problem or the difficulty among members? Members should also discuss how outside help will be sought, if at all.

There are many ways to plan for conflict and to work to avoid it and these are only a few. In addition to keeping these things in mind, I would also recommend going to individuals you trust and respect, such as professors, friends, or other teams and see how they manage conflict in their team work. Everyone approaches things differently and it is important to get other ideas so that you can decide what fits for you and your team. And remember to have fun -­ team work can be a very enjoyable experience if approached with the correct mind set.

This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or disorder. Nor is it intended to replace a consultation with a mental health provider.