Assignment

Think of a time when you were involved in building team synergy. Consider the following in your discussion:

• What was happening at the time?
• Which of the nine practices did you exhibit? (SEE BELOW)
• Were there other things you did to support teamwork?
• How did you know your efforts were successful?
• Would you have done anything differently, looking back?
• What are the benefits of a team working together?
• When (if ever) is conflict within a team productive?
• What factors can contribute to role confusion and conflict among health care professionals?

Write a succinct initial post of at least 150 words. Demonstrate clarity of thought and precision in writing. Support your discussion with at least two references other than the required readings.

9 Practices of team synergy:

1. Coordinating the patient-care team
2. Mentoring team members
3. Empowering lower-level team members
4. Advocating on others' behalf
5. Managing conflict constructively
6. Listening actively to team members
7. Fostering a positive climate
8. Managing workplace stress.
9. Pinch hitting for team members.

Propp, K. M. (1999). Collective information processing in groups. In L. Frey, D. S. Gouran, & M. S. Poole (Eds.), Handbook of group communication theory and research (pp. 225-250). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.