7 Hidden Challenges That Destroy Team Dynamics

How do leaders weave a team together as one strong unit? Like a good parent, you hope 'the kids' behave even when you're not there. Here are seven principles to help your group connect and work together.?

Dear Dr. Sylvia,?

I love how you teach about systems rather than silos as a vital part of the work world.???

A visual on my desk says one of your favorite quotes: "We are all connected, and no one wins unless we all do."?

Thus, I want to ask for advice about developing an inclusive, long-lasting, incredible team.?

I am gathering as much information as possible to ensure that my company's culture is a model of caring and success.?

Thanks,?

Good Vibes?

Dear Good Vibes,?

It sounds like you are on the cusp of exciting discoveries. I hope to add some good spices to your stew.??

For example, did you know that stew was the main staple in ancient cultures for two reasons? First, the various ingredients were mixed, so there was no waste. Second, stew appealed to most people since it was a combination of much; thus, no one could complain.?

Back to the cultural stew you are creating at work. It starts with you as the leader.?

A leader must learn to live in a world of "both/and."?

That means you must always look at how you all respond individually as well as how you respond collectively.??

Remember, life is always both/and.?

And how you weave together the dynamics of your group to make it become and stay a team.??

When you look at yourself or when you are in an executive coaching setting to explore your strengths and weaknesses, the questions to ask are, "What sets me off?

What pushes my buttons? Why do I get so annoyed when someone is late, makes dumb jokes, or challenges my decision?"?

When you are working with group dynamics, the questions are different. The key questions address how to enhance interpersonal communication in your team, create alignment between functional silos, and provide constructive and future-oriented feedback.?

Leaders are the central connectors for groups to work.?

Here are the seven major principles to consider when you are the one to connect your group and have them find the best ways to respond to each other. Whether you are there or not, these are the significant areas all of your employees need to learn and practice:?

• Pattern Awareness: Become aware that when stress is high, people tend to revert to patterns of behavior they?learned as children for survival and security.??

• Emotional intelligence: Learn how to handle emotions in a way that does not create an either/or dynamic where sides are chosen, much like they were in the school playground?

• 360 Feedback: Offer colleagues perspectives to help keep employees on track and become aware of blind spots that can, if not tended to, cause ugly clashes and crashes.?

• Creative conflict resolution: Develop an arena where it is safe to challenge one another, ask penetrating open-ended questions, and gain new perspectives on problem areas.??

• Stretch goals: Set up experiential situations and simulations of work problems that take individuals out of their comfort zones, have them play each other’s roles, and see conditions through each other's eyes.?

• Silo samba: Give employees time to talk about the stresses and challenges in each department and let those in other areas ask clarifying questions to find new ways to work together for the company's good.?

• Team transforming: Help the team undergo the necessary developmental markers that make it tight-knit and connected, including forming, storming, norming, and eventually transforming to its highest potential.?

The essential success of a company's team is how well leaders can do both the introspection work required for personal growth and the inter-individual connection at the heart of how solid and viable systems can operate optimally.??

Guest Author Sylvia Lafair PhD, CEO of Creative Energy Options Inc

Sylvia has been a pioneer helping executives?and teams find that "sweet spot " for working together effectively.

Some call?her "Dr. Transformation" because she shows how to release outdated, ingrained behavior patterns and let?go of the past to free the present.