One of the goals of all group dynamics is to Make the Group Right. I was reminded of this as I was facilitating the melding together of two teams with very different characteristics during the summer.
One team (team A)was flexible, approachable, friendly - really interested in each other - it took them ages to get going in the morning as they caught up with what was going on in their lives, they work well together and were regularly putting in long hours to get their work done.
The other team (team B) was led by a woman with quite a clipped staccato voice, she knew what she wanted and when. Her team is very dynamic, also works well together and is absolutely focussed on productivity. This led to some difficulties for the other team leader, who also knew what she wanted and when, but had a different way of letting it be known, which was not always understood. Hence the long hours being put in by her team.
Team B perceived the others as not meeting deadlines and not making decisions and this was having an impact on Team B's work. All members of this team had no qualms about telling team A - who had become somewhat bitter and twisted, as they
felt the others were rude - they hated it when anyone gave them any kind of critical feedback - and never gave it themselves, even when their own work was disrupted. Team B on the other hand were completely unaware of the impact they were having and that they were causing conflict.
It was crucial that both teams worked well together, apart from the impact on individual's health, it was having an impact on the organisation, so the Chief Executive had called us in to help.
I'd love to be able to say that after a few sessions with us, they were working harmoniously and in full understanding of one another! It is not quite as simple as that - but it is certainly true that both teams now have clearer understanding of each other's behaviour and are already beginning to achieve fantastic results.
You see, both of them actually wanted the same thing. But their non verbal behaviours were at opposite ends of the spectrum. Most importantly they now have not only the words to describe their behaviour, but also the techniques to help them when things aren't going the way they want.
We are really looking forward to meeting them in a few months time to review where they have got to. Both teams have shown a real commitment to making this larger group right - and I take my hat off to all of them for their commitment and willingness to learn new skills.
Research indicates that 80-90% of all communication is nonverbal. Learn "The Elusive Obvious" — The Science of Non-verbal Communication. See Michael Grinder's work for yourself. http://www.michaelgrinder.com/cmd.php?Clk=2568112
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