Center for Human Systems > Programs > Creating Powerful Teams
Creating Powerful Teams
Presenter: Michael F. Broom, Ph.D.
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed
citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever
has."
- Margaret Mead
ACTION ORIENTED, SKILL FOCUSED
- Manage team conflict so that differences become sources of learning and synergy rather than sources of adversity and hostility
- Learn how to maintain the focus and moderate the pace of groups
- Learn how to identify, surface, and resolve hidden agendas and other "dysfunctional" team behavior
- Work with emotions effectively ó those in the team and your own
High levels of organizational productivity only occur through groups of people working in alignment and cooperation. We call such groups teams. In addition, significant change in organizations only occurs through the collective and aligned action of such teams. Groupsópeople working togetheróare the fundamental units of human systems: organizations, families, and communities. Yet, so many teams and groups function at levels well below that which can maintain and sustain significant levels of productivity and that can create significant change. People are needed who can help groups become engines of significant productivity and change as needed. Peopleóleaders, consultants, and facilitatorsóare needed who are able to focus the intellectual, emotional, physical and energy of groups toward effective and powerful accomplishment. Mastering Team Conflict, Leadership, and Facilitation focuses on developing such skills. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, AND MORE PRACTICE!
Intentionality, Connectivity, Ego Management, and Focused Listening are four focal points of the program.
- Intentionality around the task that need to be accomplished at personal, interpersonal, and group levels.
- Connectivity is the essence of teamwork as it is the essence of how skilled leaders, consultants, and facilitators connect with their followers and participants.
- Ego Management so that our neediness and that of others need not interfere with our work.
- Focused Listening so that we will know how and when to be helpful.
The ability to maintain intentionality at all levels, to develop connectivity between and among the groupís members, to manage our egos and theirs, and to listen so that we know what to do is critical to effective team leadership and group facilitation. Doing all four with skill and consistency will be supported through practice, practice, and more practice. With practice participants will be able to turn dysfunction groups into powerful and efficient teams! Academc knowledge of group dynamics is one thing; skill in creating powerful team action is entirely something else. The latter is the focus of the Mastering Team Conflict, Leadership, and Facilitation Program.