Barriers to Group and Team Problem Solving

A number of things can keep teams and small groups from working to their full potential. Barriers or factors are a big roadblock that might keep a discussion between group members from achieving a goal. If people can begin to realize exactly what these barriers are and how to spot them, then you can begin to remove them from your team or group.

A barrier that can cause conflict in a small group is lack of structure. In this setting, group members desire specific direction that can help them come to a needed conclusion in a meeting or discussion. With a structure in place, the group can focus on the issues of a discussion and come to a consensus, both quickly and effectively.

I have had an opportunity to incorporate a structured job description database for a work force. This helped to establish guidelines and a focus on job duties for each position. When distributed to the departments, each member knew what they needed to perform the duties of the job. The job descriptions put structure in the way business was performed within the departments and the company.

Another barrier to problem solving is poor communication. This is a barrier that can wreak havoc for every group member that is involved. Some facets of poor communication are misunderstanding, inattentiveness and dominance that can be made by one or more group members. Ineffective communication will definitely be a negative against any discussion or meeting.

Once again, with the same company, I experienced this barrier in problem solving with a former employer. I had been involved in making a transition of employees to a new company. The corporate management and department management did not communicate well. Not only did they not communicate well, they did not communicate with each other. Messages were expressed and discussed with other employees about situations with other employees. These situations were approached third party and caused even more problems.

Poor communication by no communication would be a problem solving killer. A negative attitude will also be a barrier to problem solving in small groups. If members are not flexible and open minded during a discussion or meeting, then a balanced opinion can not be produced. Some group members may be more focused on the solution before the problem is defined.

I had also experienced negative attitudes in the transition of a new company coming in. The employees that had years invested in the company were most definitely displaying negative attitudes. This made it harder to have productive group meetings as we made changes during the transition period. Arguments were made before hearing all of an idea and this made for longer meetings. This in turn created new barriers and made other employees feel uncomfortable.

When having a team or small group meet for problem solving, it is very important to have a goal or agenda. This in turn will help to avoid most barriers and keep the group focused and organized. Always try clarifying what the group is trying to achieve and give all members time to participate and give their views and feelings. This path, in the end, will help to keep focus, structure, and communication open for all members.

Mickey Quinn is a father, husband, and soon to be an MIS graduate. He has a passion for team building and motivating his employees and friends. His extensive backgound in both customer service and information technology has enhanced his ability to "think outside of the box".

Where There is Human Activity, there is Need of Team Building
Each and every business whether big or small should have some objective and for attaining that goal they work together in tea...

What is Corporate Team Building?
Corporate team building is a practice that sharpens cooperation and teamwork within a business. To form a valuable team, its...

Ten Components of Effective Team Problem Solving
When problems arise in your organization they need to be dealt with immediately and with a collectively developed problem sol...

Team Building: How to Create a Dynamic and Successful Work Environment
Team building activities are essential if you want employees who know how to effectively and efficiently work together toward...

Office Fun Days
For corporate businesses and companies, the benefits of having a day out of the office on an office fun day, where you take y...

Team Building - Not Just For Sports
Most people think that a team is a group of people gathered together with a particular goal in common. In a way that is righ...

Outbound Training - A Growing Trend in India
In this hectic world of business, team management, team composition and team building is very important. A good team makes a ...

Corporate Team Building With Food And Drink Events
There are a number of events which one can organise for corporate team building events and incorporating food and drink can b...

Corporate Team Building FAQs
Corporate team building is a tool that helps in motivating a team for the fulfillment of organizational objectives. Today?s ...

Team Building - Fostering The Team Spirit
The power of teamwork has been known since the times of early civilizations, but up to the 80-ties of the past century team b...

Team Building Activity - Mind Spin - Brainstorming, Problem Solving, Creative Thought Development
Mind SpinPurpose: Brainstorming, creative thought development, team problem solving.Participants: 10 - 25 (can be more or les...

Team Building The Only Way to Succeed
A great way to build a stronger team is to increase the understanding that every member has with regard to the part they play...

Building the Perfect Team
Within corporate situations, team building has a tremendous significance. A well-functioning, united team of businesspeople a...

Recipe for Highly Effective Teams
All too often, companies waste their hard earned profits on team building efforts that result in little, or no, improvement i...

Outdoor Team Building Activities
Outdoor team building activities are one enjoyable way to strengthen your companys communication skills and cooperative worki...

Corporate Events: Make Your Business Shine Brightly
Corporate events can be a fun way to boost employee morale and sharpen certain skills that will help everyone communicate mor...

7 Key Dimensions of High Performance Teams
7 Key Dimensions of High Performance Teams We can always look at the behaviors and skills of team leaders and team members in...

Building a Team
Ive had many conversations about teams, both in my programs and in other contexts. Ive come to the conclusion that we use the...

Grow Your Staff into a Team of Creative Problem Solvers
As a manager, your employees will come to you with situations they dont know how to handle. When they approach you during the...

How Could You Make Team Building More Successful? Do It Abroad
Nowadays, it seems that the term team building is overused and underrated. If this tool is executed properly it can be a via...