When looking to the academics of team dynamics for positive change and the process of improvement, Richard Boyatzis and his research on leadership, positivity and resonance seems to emerge again and again. In his article, The Evolving Group: Towards A Prescriptive Theory Of Intentional Group Development, that he co-wrote with other researchers, lays out what it takes to apply his idea of Intentional Change Theory to a team setting (Akrivou et al., 2006). Intentional Change Theory, or ICT, is the theory that the concept of the “ideal self” can compel a person forward towards their goals with more success because of it is focus on hope, compassion and mindfulness (Boyatzis & McKee, 2005).
In the article, ICT is applied to team and group dynamics, laying out a few necessary pieces for success. In this theory, an individual would have an ideal self as an “evolving, motivational core within the self, focusing a person’s desires and hope, aspirations and dreams, purpose and calling” (Boyatzis & Akrivou, 2006). “At the group level, the ideal self could be described as a shared ideal, or vision, which would be derived through: emergent awareness of a shared hope; collective imagery regarding the ideal purpose and functioning of the group; and realization and articulation of a core identity of the group” (Akrivou et al., 2006).
In theory, this clear vision of the future would improve the team as whole and the team would start to see improvement, such as:
• Having “a holistic and integrated sense of the group’s core identity, vision and purpose”;
• The “emergence of shared ideal, vision, or dream”;
• “A greater degree of group identification”;
• There would be “restorative effects of positive emotions enable the group to use cognitive flexibility, group self-affirmation, resilience and recovery from negative affect and thought”;
• There would be increased “experimentation and practice with new behavior or norms” that fit into the ideal team;
• An increased “focus on establishing and subsequently maintaining of trusting, supportive relationships” (Akrivou et al., 2006).
This sort of positive team transformation and growth is focused on common goals and vision and how the before mentioned positive outcomes would lead to lasting success.
2004 US Men’s Olympic Team
That is why when looking at colossal team failures, it is clear that these elements are missing. One example of this failure of team cohesion and common vision, is the 2004 Men’s Basketball Olympic Team. “It was the first—and so far, the last—time the USA men's basketball team had not won gold in the Olympics since the legendary 1992 "Dream Team" introduced NBA stars to international competition” (Maisonet, 2017). Even four years prior, the Olympic team had brought home a gold. However, the 2004 team was more nightmare than dream.
“It was a disjointed group” of “guys that didn't know each other, guys that were young and coming into the league, and it didn't work” (Bontemps, 2019). “The 2004 team had been thrown together at the last second with a mix of personalities and players - including Allen Iverson and Stephon Marbury - who didn't mix” (Bontemps, 2019). In addition, to the lack of team camaraderie, the coaching style of Coach Larry Brown was seen as a “conservative and throwback style of basketball” that many of the young players didn’t agree with (Maisonet, 2017).“The stark reality of Team USA was that throwing a random assortment of basketball players with a "name" head coach into a situation they were wholly unprepared for didn't work” (Maisonet, 2017).
Despite the talent and success of the individuals, the lack of “trusting, supportive relationships,” “group identification” and agreed upon theories for success, led to a disappointing Olympic year for the Men’s basketball team (Akrivou et al., 2006).
Olympic US Women’s Soccer Team
However, when you look at the current Women’s Soccer team, you see a completely different dynamic. You see a group of 20 women that respect each other, have strong beliefs and a history of success.
In 2019, the Team won the Women’s World Cup and became the first team to ever win four titles (USWNT, 2021). In 2020, the team won the 2020 CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying tournament, which qualified the team for the 2020 Summer Olympics and the 2020 SheBelieves Cup titles (USWNT, 2021).
The biggest difference for this team is that they do more than just play soccer. The team stands for social justice, equal pay for women and LGBTQ+ rights, just to name a few (USWNT, 2021). They are a team in every sense of the word! They inspire the people all over the country. “With every bold act, with every display of strength, with every exhibition of excellence, the intensity of a new movement increases” (Brewer, 2019).
This team has a collective mission, an ideal that they are all working for. They are a group with a “core identity, vision and purpose” that is bigger than soccer and extends into homes and the collective American social structure as they fight for equality for all (Akrivou et al., 2006). As a consequence of this mission on and off the field, it is no wonder that they keep winning!
References:
Akrivou, K., Boyatzis, R. E., & McLeod, P. L. (2006). The evolving group: towards a prescriptive theory of intentional group development. The Journal of Management Development, 25(7), 689-706. http://dx.doi.org.ezproxy.libproxy.db.erau.edu/10.1108/02621710610678490
Bontemps, T. (2019, May 22). Born from the fires of 2004 failures, Team USA Basketball now built to last. Retrieved February 09, 2021, from https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/olympics/ct-usa-basketball-built-to-last-20160721-story.html
Boyatzis, R. E., & Akrivou, K. (2006). The ideal self as the driver of intentional change. The Journal of Management Development, 25(7), 624-642. http://dx.doi.org.ezproxy.libproxy.db.erau.edu/10.1108/02621710610678454
Boyatzis, R. E., & McKee, A. (2005). Resonant leadership: Renewing yourself and connecting with others through mindfulness, hope, and compassion. Boston: Harvard Business School Press.
Brewer, J. (2019, July 05). Perspective | The U.S. women are part of a movement. they won't be the only female athletes to speak up. Retrieved February 09, 2021, from https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/soccer/the-us-soccer-team-is-just-one-part-of-a-larger-wave-of-female-activism/2019/07/04/d5d065a4-9e7a-11e9-9ed4-c9089972ad5a_story.html
Maisonet, E. (2017, October 03). The Miseducation of the 2004 U.S. MEN'S Olympic basketball team. Retrieved February 09, 2021, from https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2731575-the-miseducation-of-the-2004-us-mens-olympic-basketball-team
USWNT: World Cup CHAMPIONS: U.S. Soccer official site. (n.d.). Retrieved February 09, 2021, from https://www.ussoccer.com/teams/uswnt
Comments
Post a Comment