Team Dynamics, Team Building & Conflict Resolution

Team Dynamics

Expect short attention spans, so plan 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