Exploring how a mature "I" can make a significant difference to team performance

1. Is there an “I” in Team?

2. Most of us will be familiar with the term ‘there is no ‘I’ in
teams’. This statement is certainly not without merit.
We all at some point will have been a member of a
team where there is a constant battle between several
prominent ‘I’s’ and perhaps you were one of them. I am
also guilty as charged.

3. Competing can feel good
If you are living in a western culture you will have learned
that it is important to be seen and noticed. Striving for
significance, respect and status within a group can often
mean we end up either fighting or competing with other
people, either overtly or covertly.
If everybody competes then team activities are going to
be fruity indeed. They are going to be overly noisy and
information exchange is going to be difficult and
messages unclear.

4. The ‘I’ can save the group from certain death
There seem to be a number of instances where having a
strong ‘I’ can be essential to team effectiveness. One of
these is accountability.
We know in high performing teams, its members hold
one another accountable for performance standards.
Another key area is in decision making. Teams can drift
into group think and nobody challenges the groups
thinking.
A strong ‘I’ can do this. The individual does not get
subsumed by the group and ensures that their counter
voice is clearly heard.

5. A mature ‘I’ can make a huge difference
The type of ‘I’ that comes into the group is essential. If
the ’I’ is immature then the way the ‘I’ holds others
accountable or the way it challenges group think can
sound adolescent. It can be received unfavourably.
A mature ‘I’ can make a real difference to team
effectiveness.
A mature ‘I’ can bring their voice in, and do so in a way
that is respected and heard. It sounds considered,
empathic and sagacious. It is also concerned with
establishing the truth and finding the best solution for the
team and the business.

6. Transforming the ‘I’
Through increased self - awareness and behavioural
training, MaST can significantly reduce the noise and
increase the clarity in information exchange.
We can do this by helping members, firstly recognise
and then change competing behaviours in to sustaining
cooperative behaviours. This also helps to create vitality
in a group and a closer bond.

7. To learn more about how MaST can transform your teams
please contact Mark Hawkswell
on 0800 316 9090, by email mark.hawkswell@mast.co.uk
or visit our website www.mast.co.uk

8. Is there an ‘I’ in teams?
To learn more about how MaST can transform your teams please contact Mark Hawkswell
on 0800 316 9090, by email mark.hawkswell@mast.co.uk or visit our website www.mast.co.uk
Most of us will be familiar with the term ‘there is no ‘I’ in teams’. This statement is certainly not
without merit. We all at some point will have been a member of a team where there is a constant
battle between several prominent ‘I’s’ and perhaps you were one of them. I am also guilty as
charged.
Competing can feel good
If you are living in a western culture you will have learned that it is important to be seen and
noticed. Striving for significance, respect and status within a group can often mean we end up
either fighting or competing with other people, either overtly or covertly. If everybody competes
then team activities are going to be fruity indeed. They are going to be overly noisy and information
exchange is going to be difficult and messages unclear.
The ‘I’ can save the group from certain death
There seem to be a number of instances where having a strong ‘I’ can be essential to team
effectiveness. One of these is accountability. We know in high performing teams, its members hold
one another accountable for performance standards. Another key area is in decision making.
Teams can drift into group think and nobody challenges the groups thinking. A strong ‘I’ can do this.
The individual does not get subsumed by the group and ensures that their counter voice is clearly
heard.
A mature ‘I’ can make a huge difference
The type of ‘I’ that comes into the group is essential. If the ’I’ is immature then the way the ‘I’ holds
others accountable or the way it challenges group think can sound adolescent. It can be received
unfavourably.
A mature ‘I’ can make a real difference to team effectiveness. A mature ‘I’ can bring their voice in,
and do so in a way that is respected and heard. It sounds considered, empathic and sagacious. It
is also concerned with establishing the truth and finding the best solution for the team and the
business.
Transforming the ‘I’
Through increased self - awareness and behavioural training, MaST can significantly reduce the
noise and increase the clarity in information exchange. We can do this by helping members, firstly
recognise and then change competing behaviours in to sustaining cooperative behaviours. This
also helps to create vitality in a group and a closer bond.
© MaST International Group Ltd 2015
® MaST is a registered trademark of MaST International Group Ltd