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HUM 005

Teamwork and team roles

Characteristics of an effective team

Nine pieces, and each one fits the next.

Clear objectives and agreed goals
Openness and confrontation
Cooperation and conflict resolution
Sound intergroup relations
Individual development
Appropriate leadership
Regular review
Sound procedures
Support and trust

Lack of teamwork

Eight signs that the pieces do not fit.

High turnover and more transfer requests
Avoidance approach to potential conflict
Absence of new ideas and creativity
People not developing
A lack of courage to report or voice problems
Unhealthy competition and lack of trust
Warring cliques or subgroups
Domination by leadership

A good leader

Six things a good leader does.

  • Can motivate and inspire
  • Has awareness of self and others
  • Learns from mistakes
  • Optimistic and proactive
  • Courage to change
  • Intervenes when needed

Team formation theory

Two models of how a team forms. Side by side, Schutz’s three needs come in the order of Tuckman’s first three stages.

FIROFundamental Interpersonal Relations OrientationWill Schutz, 1958
  1. InclusionIn or out?
  2. ControlWho decides?
  3. OpennessHow close?
Tuckman’s modelBruce Tuckman, 1965
  1. FormingGetting to know each other
  2. StormingConflict over roles and control
  3. NormingAgreeing how to work
  4. PerformingWorking at its best

Differences and commonalities

Between people, and what they do to teamwork.

When people are indifferent to each other, smooth collaboration and teamwork can seem:

Slightly challenging at best

Impossible at worst

Differences can exist in many varieties:

  • Cultural
  • Linguistic
  • Political
  • Religious
  • Personality
  • Gender
  • Values
  • And more

Avoiding conflict

Seven ways to avoid conflict with others who are different to you.

  • Let go of the “need to be right”.
  • Curiously approach other people who are different to you.
  • Invite and engage people in a healthy debate and exchange.
  • Look for the common purpose: what you have in common.
  • Discuss and agree on some basic principles.
  • Figure out what each person is best at: what their strengths are.
  • Communication. The whole of HUM 003.
Differences mean diversity.Diversity should be seen as a strength.

Reading material

Human Factors

HUM 005 Teamwork and Team Roles PowerPoint / PDF
EPN Group Training Document Human Factors, chapter 5 Reading list, course material
Learn More: Extra Material for Curious Students Reading list, course material
Belbin, M. Belbin Team Roles Reference, free
EUROCONTROL (2015). Guidelines for TRM Good Practices, edition 1.1 Reference, free
EUROCONTROL (1996). Guidelines for Developing and Implementing Team Resource Management, edition 1.0 Reference, free
Goleman, D. (1995). Emotional Intelligence Reference, paid
hrzone.com, Team diversity: How to work with people who are different to you (viewed 12 February 2024) Reference, free
Kouzes, J. & Posner, B. (2002). The Leadership Challenge, third edition Reference, paid
Tuckman, B. (1965). Developmental sequence in small groups Reference, paid
Schutz, W. (1958). FIRO: A Three-Dimensional Theory of Interpersonal Behavior Reference, paid