Team Dynamics 2 In discussing teams and teaming, both Amy Edm ✓ Solved

In discussing teams and teaming, both Amy Edmonson's TED Talk and Ethan Bernstein's Harvard Business Review article explain their concepts of teaming and how it differs from individual leadership. For this week's discussion, please explain your understanding of teaming and how it is useful in solving the complex problems of today's world.

Paper For Above Instructions

Teaming is a collaborative approach to problem-solving that emphasizes continuous learning and flexibility. It involves the pooling of diverse skills, perspectives, and experiences to address complex challenges effectively. Unlike traditional leadership models that center on a single individual making decisions and directing the group, teaming encourages shared leadership among team members, fostering an environment where everyone’s input is valued and sought.

Amy Edmonson's TED Talk emphasizes the importance of psychological safety in teams. Psychological safety is the belief that one will not be penalized or humiliated for speaking up with ideas, questions, concerns, or mistakes. This notion is crucial for effective teaming because it allows team members to contribute without fear of negative consequences. In teams with psychological safety, individuals are more likely to share innovative ideas and engage in constructive conflicts that propel the team toward better solutions (Edmonson, 2019).

Ethan Bernstein, in his article in the Harvard Business Review, discusses how modern organizations can create a culture that supports teaming over traditional hierarchies. Bernstein points out that in a rapidly changing environment, organizations need to be nimble. He posits that teaming enables organizations to respond to challenges more effectively by utilizing diverse teams that can adapt and innovate (Bernstein, 2020). This adaptability is especially pertinent in sectors like healthcare, technology, and education, where problems become increasingly complex.

The complexity of today’s problems necessitates collaboration. Issues such as climate change, public health crises, and social inequality do not have one-size-fits-all solutions. These challenges require an interdisciplinary approach, drawing from various fields to create comprehensive and effective solutions. Teams can harness the unique strengths of their members to devise innovative responses that a single leader may not envision alone.

Examples of Teaming in Action

A relevant example of effective teaming can be observed in multi-disciplinary healthcare teams. When treating a patient, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and social workers may collaborate to provide comprehensive care. This approach not only improves patient outcomes but also enhances the satisfaction of team members as they contribute to a shared goal (Interprofessional Education Collaborative, 2016). Each professional brings their expertise, ensuring that patients receive well-rounded and effective care.

Moreover, in the tech industry, companies like Google utilize cross-functional teams to innovate rapidly and effectively. These teams draw talent from various specialties—software engineers, designers, and marketers—to develop products that meet the diverse needs of users around the globe (Sundar Pichai, 2020). The company’s culture encourages sharing ideas without the constraints typically associated with hierarchy. This aligns with Edmonson's argument for psychological safety: team members must feel respected and valued to innovate.

Benefits of Teaming

One of the key benefits of teaming is enhanced creativity. When team members collaborate, they can challenge each other's ideas, leading to improved decision-making and more innovative outcomes (Hansen et al., 2018). Furthermore, teams are more resilient in facing challenges, as they have access to a wider range of strategies and perspectives, significantly reducing the likelihood of failure compared to individuals working in isolation.

Team dynamics also play a crucial role in fostering positive relationships among team members. As individuals work closely together, they build trust and develop stronger interpersonal connections. This cohesion can lead to improved team performance, better communication, and higher levels of engagement in tasks (Salas et al., 2015).

Challenges of Teaming

However, teaming is not without its challenges. Issues can arise from conflicts in communication styles, differing priorities, and power dynamics. If not managed effectively, these challenges can lead to dysfunction within a team (Duhigg, 2016). Educating team members on conflict resolution, effective communication, and decision-making processes becomes essential in overcoming these hurdles. Additionally, organizations should invest in training programs that emphasize the importance of collaboration and shared leadership.

Furthermore, teams can struggle with accountability. In traditional hierarchies, it is easier to identify who is responsible for decisions and outcomes. However, in a teaming environment, responsibility is often shared, which can lead to ambiguity (Bernstein, 2020). This highlights the need for clear roles and responsibilities to foster accountability while still encouraging collaboration.

Conclusion

In conclusion, teaming represents a shift in how problems can be approached in today's complex landscape. By embracing the principles of collaboration, psychological safety, and shared leadership, organizations can harness the power of diverse teams to develop innovative solutions. Though challenges exist, the benefits of teamwork—creativity, resilience, and stronger interpersonal connections—demonstrate why embracing teaming is vital for success in the modern world. Moving forward, organizations must prioritize creating environments that support and nurture teaming to thrive in an increasingly interconnected and complicated world.

References

• Bernstein, E. (2020). The collaborative organization: how to enable effective team engagement. Harvard Business Review.
• Duhigg, C. (2016). What Google learned from its quest to build the perfect team. The New York Times.
• Edmonson, A. (2019). The transformative power of psychological safety. TED Talk.
• Hansen, M. T., Pea, R. D., & Derry, S. J. (2018). Sharing in collaborative learning: how peer feedback drives collaborative performance. Psychology Learning and Teaching, 17(1), 23-36.
• Interprofessional Education Collaborative. (2016). Core competencies for interprofessional collaborative practice: 2016 update.
• Lavin, M., Harper, E., & Barr, N. (2015). Health Information Technology, Patient Safety, and Professional Nursing Care Documentation in Acute Care Settings. OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 20(2).
• Salas, E., Sims, D. E., & Klein, C. (2015). Collaboration and teamwork: what underlies the effectiveness of teams? Team Performance Management, 21(3/4), 170-183.
• Sundar Pichai. (2020). 2020 Google I/O Keynote. YouTube.
• Vaupel, A. (2018). Top of the List: KU Hospital rockets higher. Kansas City Business Journal.
• Elson, E. C., Oermann, C., Duehlmeyer, S., & Bledsoe, S. (2020). Use of telemedicine to provide clinical pharmacy services during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy, 77(13), 1005–1006.