Five people gather around a white table in an office, focused on a large screen displaying a spreadsheet. Laptops and coffee cups accompany them as they discuss strategies to verbeteren teamdynamiek. The wall behind them is adorned with colorful sticky notes, adding a creative touch.
Organisatie & beleid
4 minuten

Team dynamics, what is it and how do you improve it?

What is team dynamics?

Team dynamics refers to the invisible forces that influence the performance and behavior of a team. When you look at a team, you initially see the visible behavior: the interactions between team members, the collaboration, and the decision-making process. However, this behavior doesn’t happen by chance; it is caused by various patterns that come with group formation. These patterns together are called team dynamics. We all know a team with negative team dynamics: conflicts, issues, and difficult decision-making are commonplace there. A positive team dynamic, on the other hand, promotes productivity, enhances the quality of work, and contributes to a better work atmosphere. It makes a team more effective.

The importance of team dynamics

Our team coaches consistently observe in practice that the importance of team dynamics is significant. When the team dynamics are positive, it can lead to effective teams that are able to solve complex problems and achieve goals. Positive team dynamics foster trust, open communication, and collaboration within the team. Conversely, negative team dynamics can lead to conflicts, poor communication, and a lack of collaboration, which can undermine the productivity and success of the team. Therefore, it is essential to map out team dynamics and actively work on improving them to fully harness the potential of the team.

Improving team dynamics

Improving team dynamics requires focused efforts and strategies. But how do you approach this? Here are some practical tips:

  1. Promote open communication: Create an environment where team members feel free to express their ideas and concerns without fear of negative consequences. This can foster collaboration and innovation within the team.
  2. Build trust: Trust forms the foundation of an effective team. Work on building trust by being transparent and following through on promises.
  3. Set clear goals: Ensure that all team members have the same goals in mind and understand what is expected of them. This helps keep everyone aligned and ensures a shared focus.
  4. Provide regular feedback: Give and receive regular feedback to improve performance and address any issues early on.
  5. Learn team skills: Even teams with highly experienced individuals can develop negative dynamics. By learning the missing skills as a team, you can shift this dynamic into an effective support system for the work.

The most well-know team dynamics models

There are several models that help in understanding and guiding team dynamics. One well-known model is the Tuckman model, which describes the stages of team development: Forming – Storming – Norming – Performing – Adjourning. This model helps teams understand which stage they are in and what they can do to evolve to the next stage.

Another widely used model is the Belbin Team Roles model. This model identifies nine different roles within a team, such as the coordinator, the monitor, and the implementer. The Belbin model helps teams recognize and effectively utilize the strengths of each member.

At Lifeguard, we add an energy perspective to these models when improving team dynamics. This means we also look at the energy balance within the team and behaviors that either strengthen or drain energy. The better the energy balance in the team, the better the team will be able to improve its dynamics. At the same time, the energy perspective provides team members with an easy way to recognize and discuss dynamics. By focusing on behavior and making the team’s energy dynamics open for discussion, a shared language is created. This gives team members concrete tools to positively influence their dynamics.

Team dynamics within the organization

Team dynamics within the organization – To optimize team dynamics within your organization, Lifeguard offers a specialized team coaching program: ‘Inspiring and seamless collaboration as a team’. This program is designed to help teams work better together by addressing the specific needs and challenges of the team. The program focuses on strengthening communication, building trust, and improving the overall energy and dynamics within the team. As a result, teams can not only achieve their shared goals more effectively but also create a more positive work environment.

Five people gather around a white table in an office, focused on a large screen displaying a spreadsheet. Laptops and coffee cups accompany them as they discuss strategies to verbeteren teamdynamiek. The wall behind them is adorned with colorful sticky notes, adding a creative touch.

Harro Yestra

C
Organisatie & beleid