First and foremost, all team members must clearly understand the team's mission. Hiring a professional to train team members at the outset is a good idea. Trainers can also enhance team members' understanding of group dynamics and communication skills. And conflict often can lead to consensus. Members don't understand their own roles or responsibilities.
Many problems begin with poor communication skills of team members.
Initial training and ongoing assessment can help prevent these problems from occurring. Even if a team does not hire a professional trainer, members can commit to evaluating their mission and roles during the first meeting. Team members must be aware of barriers and learn the skills necessary to hold effective meetings, being a communicative team member, and moving through the process from being congenial to being collaborative. Sponsored by Oregon Professional Development Center, Deschutes Educational Service District, Fall 1994. The Institute for Educational Leadership.