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Healthy Money Healthy Planet - library.uniteddiversity.coop

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7<br />

Diversity and coordination of parts<br />

Well­functioning teams employ the special strengths of each member for the<br />

benefits of the whole. By using the specialist skills of each member, their team<br />

operates together in what seems like an effortless, well­coordinated dance.<br />

Continuous self­organisation and response to stress or change<br />

Even a great team seldom operates with all parts functioning optimally. There is<br />

usually some imbalance where growth and change can occur – that is what<br />

makes a team such a dynamic entity. Each member of the team needs to learn to<br />

be a leader and a follower. When something is not working well, a good team will<br />

change and adapt quickly, always maintaining continuous communication. It<br />

therefore becomes a self­organising system. While each team can and should<br />

display opposite traits of selfishness and altruism, cruelty and compassion,<br />

suspicion and trust, the feedback loops and constant readjustments keep the<br />

system in sufficient tension to be balanced and self­organising.<br />

Awareness of the whole<br />

Teams work best when each member has a deep awareness of the whole and a<br />

commitment to its integrity. No matter who is the designated leader, each<br />

member is accountable for the team’s results. To retain integrity, the group must<br />

impose sanctions. If one member wrecks the group’s reputation, breaks the rules<br />

or causes unbearable friction, the team soon acts to bring that member into line.<br />

Members are rigorous with each other, holding one another to account so that the<br />

team can perform at its best.<br />

Economy of effort, recycling of resources

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