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