Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up the other; but woe to one who is alone and falls and does not have another to help. Again, if two lie together, they keep warm; but how can one keep warm alone? And though one might prevail against another, two will withstand one. A threefold cord is not quickly broken. – Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NRSV)
This Bible passage appropriately tells us that groups can accomplish more than any one Individual can. However, working within the group is so much harder than individual work. Bringing together more than one individual and forming them into a cohesive group that functions as one, is a difficult challenge.
The military forms a cohesive group by completely breaking the individual down during the first few weeks of basic training. All civilian attire and personal possessions are removed from the individual, everyone gets a haircut, facial hair is removed, and uniforms are issued. Once everyone has lost their individuality, they start molding the group together by employing a cause and effect method of training; the “Dirtying Dozen” approach. Anything that any one individual does affects the group as a whole. Over time, the individual is gone and the group emerges as a team working together as one.
The difference between the military and a flyball team is that individuals stay individuals; the breaking down of the individual never takes place and the molding of the group is too loosely woven and eventually breaks apart.
How can teams stay together?
This question has been on my mind a lot lately and I am sure that others have thought of it too. I have read and studied Team Dynamics and Group Dynamics and have concluded that harmony within a team or group will never be completely achieved. There are too many factors at play and the individuals on the team are constantly changing and evolving. However, things can be done to move the “I” to the “we.”
Effective teamwork starts when each individual on the team understands the ways he or she is different from the others on the team and everyone should know his or her own value to the team. It is only through this awareness that we can be in a better position to value and capitalize on the contributions of those who are different from us. Additionally, we will be better able to think in terms of the team, instead of individual interest.
Developing a Winning Team
- Know the Goal of the Team – Each member should know the mission and goal of the team and should have a sense of ownership and belonging. The leader of the team should define the mission but allow the members to have freedom in how the goal is reached.
- Know Where the Team is Going – Team goal and individual goals should be blended together to ensure that everyone on the team is moving in the same direction. If the team goal and the individual goals are not compatible, the team will pull itself apart.
- Assign Roles and Responsibilities – In order to show each individual how they contribute to achieving the goal, the role of each team member needs to be clearly defined. Additionally, clear areas of responsibility should be developed and each person should know that they are accountable for their actions. If the team leader decides who does what, the team members should know the reason behind the decision. Members need to feel that their personalities are appreciated and well utilized.
- Effective communication - Interpersonal relationships only work through effective communication. It is common for people to bury problems and this can be very destructive if these issues are not resolved. Issues that lie buried slowly build into something that is blown way out of proportion. In order to safeguard the team from this, it is important to have periodic meetings where people have a chance to discuss potential problems.
Each member should share equally and proudly in the success of the team.
Good Teamwork and Good Racing!
Larry
4 comments ↓
I agree with the ideas on team dynamics. I wish that it was easier to put into practice.
Me too!
We have a policy on our team that if you don’t understand something that is done, just ask. For instance, if your dog is pulled from a race and you don’t know why, just ask. We usually have a very good reason for doing what we do and we’re never offended if you ask for a reason. Our only request is that you ask the person involved in the call to explain rather then asking someone else that may be just as confused as you are. Open communications is the key to life and it can also work in Flyball, but like anything else, there will always be someone who is still offended by a call made by the team captain. We encourage everyone on the team to take an active role in the team as a whole and it seems to be working out pretty well for our team. We have a great bunch of folks to work with so that makes it a lot easier to keep the communication lines open.
That is great information. I left a team because I was not allowed to have any input, and I didn’t like that at all. Input is necessary!
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