Team Building Resources

Now that the teams have merged we will see less and less team behaviour and more how individuals operate as part of a team.  When there is $1 million dollars on the line that only one person can win, self interest is the reasonable path.  That said we can still learn from the team dynamics that are demonstrated as the human drama unfolds. 

Each of the individuals are now solidifying connections with the ultimate goal of self preservation, but initial alliances are a strong force to contend with.  Brendan as a strong player needed to be more aware of what was going on around him.  His key mistake – he made commitments early on in the game and then when he had the opportunity to follow through on those commitments he left it lagging until he figured out it would be in his own best interested for them to “resurface” .  Granted on Survivor the “outwit” element has people making hollow commitments all the time.  But I believe if Brendan had nurtured his commitment from the moment the tribes merged he would not have been sent home in episode 9, he would have made it much further in the game. 

The same is true of working in teams in a work environment.  The commitments we make to each other some are explicit some are implicit.  Often as part of a team we are dependent on other work being delivered on a given time schedule to ensure that our work can be delivered on a given time schedule that we have committed to.  Making commitments should never be taken lightly.  Making commitments and living up to those commitments goes a long way to building trust, ensuring the team processes work effectively and overall team chemistry. 

Take the opportunity now to think about the teams that you work as part of:

• What implicit commitments have you made?
• What explicit commitments have you made?
• Are you living up to those commitments?
• If not what is your action plan?

It is perfectly reasonable when working as part of a team to make commitments and then once you have additional information or other things get in the way not be able to live up to commitments you make 100%.   However, to manage team dynamics effectively you always need to manage the commitments, either explaining to the individual or individuals you have made the commitment to that you will be delivering later than scheduled or not at all.  The team will now be able to take action accordingly instead of just being left waiting for something that is coming later or never coming at all.  Building trust and also allowing the team to function more effectively.

Lynn

Team Enthusiast