2. Learning outcomes
• Explain the difference between a group and a
team, and identify the characteristics of an
effective team
• Gain an overview of key models of team
development and team roles
• Develop a greater awareness of their own role as
a team-player and value differences in other
team members
• Identify strategies for building effective teams
Team Dynamics
3. Characteristics of teams
• Shared identity
• Shared goals and objectives
• Structured patterns of communication and interaction
• Consider themselves to be a team
Team Dynamics
4. Team task 1: Bridge building challenge
Team Dynamics
Construct the longest
paper-based bridge using
only the paper supplied.
Bridge can be supported
at two points only.
5. Tuckman’s team development model
Team Dynamics
Developmental Sequence in Small groups.
(Bruce Tuckman, 1965)
6. Team task 2: Floating stick challenge
Team Dynamics
7. Floating stick challenge - reflection
Team Dynamics
What improved team performance?
• Focus on team goal vs personal failure
• Leadership – who was guiding your team’s efforts?
• Communication before and during task
• Strategy – how to achieve the goal e.g.
• Linking arms, touching fingers
• Counting down
• Following a ‘lead finger’
• Reflection and refinement
12. Summary
• Leadership (and particularly leadership style)
• Improving team comms, reinforcing identity, clear task
focus and clear roles
• Self awareness [your own role, strengths and
weaknesses etc.] and modifying your behaviour
accordingly for the well being of the team is key, and
highly valued by employers
Team Dynamics
Key factors for effective teams
