Slaying The 7 Dragons Of Teamwork

Individualism is the hidden threat to teamwork. At any time, the pull towards individualism may outweigh the pull towards teamwork and lead to the break-up of the team. Here are 7 of the most damaging threats to teamwork. Learn what they are and, if you care for your team's survival, act swiftly to slay them. 1. Individualism. Teams survive and thrive on the individual contributions people make, but unless they are properly channelled into the overall needs of the team, individual effort can become individualism. Individualism means putting one's own needs ahead of those of the team, even by using the team to advance oneself. In this way, the cohesion of the team can be seriously undermined. A good team allows all its members room to breath and space to grow and be themselves. "Teams should be like wild ducks: individually autonomous, but when something needs done, they fly in formation, giving warm air and uplift to each other." 2. Stars. Stars are those people whose personal contribution in the team is greater than the rest. Stars exist in all sorts of teams. In teams of dogs pulling sledges across the Arctic, it was found that in the best teams, there was usually one dog that pulled up to 20% more than the rest. The efforts of the star dog encouraged the rest. As long as stars stay team-focused, they can act as role-models to others, until someone else becomes a star in their turn. When stars become self-focused, however, - what some have called the "prima donna syndrome" - they may use the team to promote themselves into higher positions. Research has shown that when stars receive favours, privileges and rewards not available to the rest of the team, overall team performance declines. 3. Passengers. Passengers are those who use the team for a free ride. Latan