subject: Transforming team performance [print this page] Transforming team performance Transforming team performance
We have all experienced situations where people don't get on and where this affects the dynamics around them. We can all think of colleagues that frustrated us, or that people just didn't seem to get on with. It would be easy to say that this is just what happens when people work together, however the team dynamics have an important impact on both team and organisational performance.
Where team dynamics work well a team will perform well, for example they may be more productive and innovative. However, where there is less understanding and trust in relationships, or if relationships are strained, there is likely to be more time and energy spent on conflict and politics, detracting from the group's focus. Bruce Tuckman defined four phases of development which a team must experience before it will truly perform to its full potential:
The key to improving team performance is to facilitate the progression through these phases to ensure that the process is as speedy and positive as possible. Making time for team members to appreciate each other's skills, surface and manage emotional issues that can hinder the team's progress and celebrate the successes of the team and individual members will create a team where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
Coaching would be an ideal means to bring about the kinds of attitudinal and behavioural changes necessary to achieve this goal. However, coaching interactions can be sporadic and momentum and progress can wane between sessions.
In response to this challenge blackswan have developed TeamSpace, an online team coaching system that enables managers, coaches and consultants to build sustained engagement with the team and monitor progress.
TeamSpace supports the continuation of coaching conversations and team discussions between face-to-face sessions to help to embed the learning and generate tangible improvements in team performance.
