How to handle team problems

Arguments, disagreements, rivalries and cliques can be found on almost any team. Some are unavoidable and should be expected, but NOT necessarily tolerated. The key to a good team is working together toward a common goal. It's best to address such problems with a sponsor or coach present and if possible, the captains or adult should address the group. If you, as an individual, are experiencing any type of problem or feel there is something going on that is affecting the team, see the coach/sponsor or captain in charge.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. We all have our opinions. Team members should always remember:
   
   1. Everyone wants her hand in making decisions- the key is to compromise- don't sweat the small stuff!
   2. Being a team does not mean everyone has to be best friends. It does, however, mean that outside issues should be left outside and everyone MUST be willing to work together as a team.
   3. Try to make all of the team members feel equal. In other words; don't let one have more privileges and leeway than the others.
   4. When in doubt, inform the sponsor/coach.
2. Break up cliques Dealing with Cliques: A clique is a group of friends that hang out together, they are usually reluctant to let others into their close-nit group. This can be a serious problem for teams that need to work together as an entire group (such as cheerleading). Cliques can make other team members feel left out and uncomfortable or self-conscious when trying to perform a task. There are many ways to solve the clique problem. In general, it's best if a coach or sponsor deals with this issue.
   
   1. Take members of the clique aside and point out that they are excluding other team members from their group and they should mingle and associate themselves with other members of the team while at practice or team-related events. Point out that they can hang with anyone they want during their time, but during team time they need to be a team- not a clique. Do not address this in front of the whole team. This can be a very sensitive issue and for best results it is best handled individually.
   
   2. Break up cliques when possible. Put them in different stunt groups or assign them different poster sessions so that they learn to work with other members of the team.
   
   3. Schedule team-oriented outings such as movie nights, ice skating, or dinner at someone's house to promote team bonding.
3. It's normal to disagree. Handing disagreements: Disagreements are a part of life. Disagreeing is not a bad thing, it merely shows that each person has her own opinion on how something should be done. The best way to handle a disagreement is to let the team work it out- try to keep the adults out of it.
   
   For a BIG disagreement: Sit all of the team members down in a circle. Have a "Speaking Stick" to pass around. A speaking stick can be any item, it is passed around the circle so that whoever is holding the item has the floor and others cannot interrupt or comment until they get the stick. There should not be any criticisms from other team members. LISTEN to everyone's idea or suggestion. Write it down, show interest. Then either vote on them or speak with the coach/sponsor about them. Tell team members that their opinions are important, but they won't always be used. Be sure to use everyone's suggestion at least once during the year. This makes the members feel more involved- it helps to get rid of that puppet-on-a-string feeling.
   
   For smaller disagreements: Try someone else's idea, it might just be better than you though! Or, Try to compromise. Give a little, take a little, then everyone is happy.
   
   If absolutely necessary, get the sponsor/coach involved. Generally, disagreements should be easy to handle. Just remember that everyone wants to have a hand in the decision making. If you allow them to have their ways sometimes, they will come to respect the decisions that aren't up for deliberation.
4. How to handle rivalries:
   Rivalries are a natural part of life- in the office, in school, at home and just about everyplace else ~ even between animals! The best way to end a rivalry is to make sure everyone is on even ground- all team members should be equal. No extra attention, leeway, or privileges (unless earned) should be shown to individual members.
5. How to deal with arguments: These can sometimes be tough to handle. Arguments are different from disagreements in several aspects:
   1. They can be direct toward an individual
   2. They can be over non-team related circumstances
   
   Sometimes an argument can be handled within a team, sometimes it's best to bring in the coach/sponsor.
   
   The best way to handle it is to get to the bottom of the argument, have only the involved parties (the ones arguing) present. Ask them to tell their views on the argument one at a time, no interrupting, no exceptions. (Sometimes this will be a stopping point because they
   
   will both see that the situation was either misinterpreted or not worth arguing over). You should NEVER chose sides, no matter what. If a punishment must be administered (and should be done by the coach/sponsor) it should be done to both parties unless there is an obvious innocent/guilty party (one spreading nasty rumors about the other, etc)
   Next, ask them what they think should be done (within reason) to fix the problem.
   If need be, bring in the coach/sponsor.