Carolyn O’Hara shares perspectives on the dynamics of a team member who acts as if they are not on the team. This isn’t simply frustrating. It can affect your entire group’s performance.
Source: Harvard Business Review, April 21, 2017.
Ignoring the issue often ends up only making it more acute. When working with the person and team here are some principles to remember:
Do:
- Inquire about your colleague’s interests, priorities, and motivations to get a better sense of their perspective and the causes of their behavior.
- Use this opportunity to revisit the team’s purpose and goals.
- Look for opportunities to better utilize the uncooperative team member’s specific skill set.
Don’t:
- Develop an explanation for the colleague’s behavior without talking to them first.
- Ostracize the team member in question. Promote more interactions to create better group cohesion.
Assume everyone knows what they’re supposed to be working on. Clarify team members’ roles so that people know what is expected of them
INSIGHTS: It is important to remember that the person you hired three to four months ago, is still new to the team. Communication and priority reviews are a continual need as teams grow over time.
Also see: Five steps to an exemplary team by Dr. Edward Blach