1. Inappropriate Leadership. Lack of structure or clear
leadership can lead to a team becoming
dysfunctional and/or resistant. This in turn can lead to a high turnover
of staff and without intervention disbandment of the team as being non
-performing.
2. Unqualified team members. Teams need to
both have the appropriate technical skills as well as a balance to the
necessary roles. If team members are lacking in basic skills, they need to have
the appropriate training or be moved on.
3. Unconstructive Climate An effective
team needs to have an open climate that bridges differences and encourages
individuals. If team members become defensive or secretive the team will
struggle to thrive. Important issues must be openly discussed and resolutions
found wherever possible.
4. Projection and scapegoating where the teams problems are being caused by
"external influences". By making others part of the problem the team
is adopting a "it wasn't me" attitude.
5. Dominance of one or more personality/ behaviour types. It is not uncommon for the leader
of a team to recruit "someone like them" or "someone who fits
in" who consequently adds to the teams skills and strengths in a
particular area, but does not necessarily address any gaps the team may have.
Lopsided teams can often find it difficult to move forward.
6. Teams , like the people within them, have a sense of self-esteem. Low self esteem can be a result of
many things but might include: lack of drive, lack of recognition, lack of
pride in their work. If their perception is
one of low self esteem, they will find it difficult to develop and move
forward.
7. Low creativity. Teams that are allowed to explore their creativity are more flexible in
their approach and quicker to solve problems than those that are asked to
deliver things in a fixed and rigid way. There is a difference between setting
and measuring standards for particular tasks and preventing any creativity in
achieving them. Harnessing creativity requires a level of risk and clear risk
assessment should go hand in hand with the creative process.
