ABOUT

This module is about engaging team members in an inclusive conversation about how they each see the team functioning and identifying the areas of strength and the areas that could use improvement.

This module allows team members to self diagnose problems and then agree together on what areas to work on and what supporting Modules, other resources, or coaching to seek. 

WHEN TO USE

Use this Module when:

• needing “buy in” from team members before implementing other team development sessions
• seeking to give members credit for what they do well as a part of identifying where they can improve
• wanting team leaders to engage in creating their own development plans rather than having the human resources do this
• shifting from top-down directive teaching to bottom-up requesting engagement
• getting the Insight Team Development Modules off to a positive start and driven by team input and acceptance

This module, Assessing Our Team’s Functioning, has three components.

1) The assessment itself 

This discussion guide, which is what the team members complete, contains step-by-step interactive fields, check boxes, and open fill-in spaces. This guide can be completed online using the interactive pdf and then shared or referenced as the team discusses each step.  Some steps are designed to be completed together.

2) A form for identifying “next step” solutions

The third page of the Assessment lists out the other 12 Modules along with a short description. Each module aligns with one of the categories the team assessed its functioning on and therefore, provides a way for the team to improve in that area.

The goal is to select, together as a team, the Module to complete next or other resources to use, to make improvements.

3) Facilitator/User’s Guide

The third page of the Assessment lists out the other 12 Modules along with a short description. Each module aligns with one of the categories the team assessed its functioning on and therefore, provides a way for the team to improve in that area.

The goal is to select, together as a team, the Module to complete next or other resources to use, to make improvements.

NOTES FROM DR. PATRICK HANDLEY

Its risky business going into any team development session, particularly if there is some conflict or tension and not know what the issues are. If you guess wrong, and frequently you will, you’ll try to solve the wrong problem. You’ll also invalidate the opinions of the team members who may see the issues and solutions quite differently.  

Let the team know that you are aware that they may be highly effective (good at getting the job done), but at times, low in functioning (not work well together). This helps them know that the module is not about their skill, knowledge or individual performances, but instead about the team dynamics. This helps keep them open to the process of assessing their different views of their functioning.

Once you finish, don’t fall into the temptation to average the results and use these averages as a measurement of improvement. This causes a wash-out of the extreme positions and basically dissolves these scores, which are the various opinions of all the team members. 

You can use this modue both as a pre-assessment and post-assessment to an extended team development program. This gives you anad the team to look at how dynamics and functioning has changed overtime and identify areas to continue working to improve. 

Think of this module, as a tool to help get team members to talk openly about their functioning and  hear and each other. Then, they (not you) can choose together what other modules to complete to  improve their team functioning.

Just for fun, for you movie buffs, this module is like the famous line in Forest Gump, “Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’ll get.” That’s so true with the Assessing Team Functioning Module, you never know how team members will view their functioning in certain areas. The important thing is to create an open conversation that can engage them in making improvements.

LEADER/FACILITATOR TIPS

Try these tips:

1. Set it up, then encourage the team members do most of the talking.
2. Consider letting members review the instructions, work on their own ratings, then participate as a group when sharing their results
3. Remind members that they don’t need to write a reason for their ratings on each category, they can pick a few high scores and low scores and comment on these only
4. Avoid averaging the results and thinking of the averages as a good indication of where the team is. This discounts both the highest and lowest ratings and you want to do just the opposite, hear each individual’s ideas.
5. Emphasize the a ready-made solution for low scores in each of the 12 areas of team functioning , the 12 Insight Team Team Modules as described on page 3 of the module.