Team Dynamics

Andrew Carnegie, one of the world's most successful businessmen, once stated, "Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision. The ability to direct individual accomplishments toward organizational objectives. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results." While Mr. Carnegie lived in a totally different era, the basic foundation and necessities of a team have remained the same. When working individually, common people can easily reach common results. If these same individuals are grouped into a team with proper dynamics they are able to achieve extraordinary results. This team will undoubtedly experience success but is also likely to experience conflict. This is why it is important for a team to have effective dynamics and apply conflict resolution strategies.

Team Dynamics

Team dynamics are the various roles that each member may assume in a team setting. Each role has specific characteristics that dictate the level at which a team performs. When applying team dynamics it is critical that each role performs a specific job function. There are many different roles that are blended together to contribute to the overall success of the team. Key roles vital to team success include: coach, innovator, explorer, sculptor, crusader, conductor, curator, and scientist

Coach

The role of a coach in team dynamics is a critical component for a team's success. The coach is a person who is in charge of creating team motivation, looking out for the general comfort of team members, and contributing significantly to the team's satisfaction. Not only does the coach develop positive working relationships amongst the team, they often act as mediators as problems arise. Along with the numerous successes of a coach come their downfalls. Coaches often fail to identify their team member's differences of opinion. The coach is usually so determined on getting a job done that he or she may not consider other valuable opinions of the group. Coaches also fail due to the fact that they do not respect the demands of the group. When the coaches are absent, teams often fail to reach their goals. Coaches provide critical guidance that team members depend on for their success. The absence of the coach also has a devastating effect on morale, confidence, and teamwork. People often become so dependent on the coach that when he or she is not around, members often cannot keep focus and therefore lose their guidance.

Innovator

An equally important role in a team is that of an innovator. Innovators can best be described as people who like to use their world around them to achieve maximum results. These team members often produce essential solutions to problems, develop long-term goals with their use of ideas, and often demonstrate an understanding of what cannot clearly be seen. In a nutshell, these are the problem solvers of the group. Someone in the team will often come up with a problem that they find difficult to resolve and the team innovators are the people who turn nothing into something. These people have visions that are beyond the norm and are very significant members of the team. Without innovators in a team, teams will often come across an obstacle in which they cannot clearly see a reasonable solution. In rare cases, innovators can do more harm then good. Some setbacks that innovators pose are that they will often invent unforeseeable solutions to problems. They use their imagination a little too aggressively and will compose a solution that is impossible to clearly conclude. For the most part, innovators serve as vital assets to a team and without their presence; the majority of teams will sink.

Explorer

One role that is a necessary piece of the puzzle that makes up a team is that of an explorer. Explorers attempt to find new and better ways to accomplish a goal. They are considered to be groundbreakers and are expected to look over the boundaries of the situation to find unpursued ideas until every possible idea has been considered and discussed. Explorers usually dispute the normal way of conducting business and experiment with change to see if the situation can be upgraded in any way. If an explorer does not perform well in his or her team then the team could lose focus, start too many new ideas, or try to fix portions of the projects that are already acceptable. Explorers must have the ability to promote their ideas to others, both inside and outside their team. (Myers-Briggs 2004) They generally use other members of their team in order to bring out their best work. Explorers do not usually work best by themselves, but would rather relate with other team members to be at their top level of production (2004 Team Management Starter). If no explorer is present in a team then the team could bypass good opportunities, lack improvement, or even get stuck in a creative jam (Myers-Briggs 2004).

Sculptor

Another important role in the dynamics of a solid working team is a sculptor. Sculptors believe that things need to be completed right away. They tend to take action immediately and encourage others to become involved in the same fashion. Sculptors use the knowledge and experience that they have gained over the years to assist them with their problems. They almost always react to situations with a sense of urgency and usually have a clear outline of what goals need to be accomplished and when they need to be done by. If a sculptor does not perform his or her duties to the best of their abilities then the team might suffer. The team would most likely react too fast and not think problems through completely. The team could also show trends of giving up end results just to get the job done quickly. Without a sculptor a team would have serious problems such as difficulties in taking action. When action is taken, it might take a considerable amount of time to complete tasks. (Myers-Briggs 2004)

Crusaders

Another important role in the dynamics of a team is a crusader. A crusader gives priority to certain thoughts, ideals or beliefs. They focus on subjects that are the most vital. Crusaders are very object oriented at the time of completing tasks. Principles and values greatly influence decision making in a crusader's life. Crusaders care about others and will support anyone with their same values. This person is able to provide help on issues that require deep thought and those which involve values. They bring the most important topics to the attention of their teammates for discussion. If a crusader is unable to excel at his or her duties, than the team might be unsuccessful in expressing their disagreements.