Team development and dynamics

Teams and projects can really sail along but occasionally there’s turbulence, a lack of direction, or even mutiny. A new or existing team may find themselves working in conflict or in synergy, or stuck in a quagmire and hardly functioning at all.

Team building

Consultants working with teams can improve group dynamics, break through barriers, transform communication, and enhance performance. The consultant’s role could include:

Helping team members learn more about each other so that communication is more effective
Aiding a new team’s formation through the steps of chartering, setting norms, and clarifying goals and roles
Reenergizing or refocusing an existing team through a variety of methods and techniques
Leading the team through assessments, activities, and group discussions to resolve issues and build trust

Conflict resolution

In human relationships, conflict is inevitable. If dealt with positively, conflict creates an opportunity for those involved to grow, learn from each other, and acquire new perspectives and skills.

Whether working with two individuals or an entire team in dispute, a consultant acts as a neutral partner in problem solving. The consultant’s role could include:

Helping to uncover the root of the conflict through interviews, mediation, and observation
Listening to those in conflict and assisting them to resolve the current conflict and minimize future conflicts
Facilitating group discussions or related meetings
Providing access to tools and resources to help those in conflict change their future behavior