Don’t cower, claim your power.
Research has shown that power differences in team members is related to who is willing to share information (Wittenbaum, G. M., & Park, E. S., 2001) and that power differences “[intensify] the interpersonal risk faced by members who wish to speak up”(Edmonson, 2003). Encouraging psychological safety and reducing the pressure of power differences between various members of a group can encourage better collaboration. This is particularly important when lives are at stake. Higher status group members should always encourage input from lower status group members.
Have skills to pay the bills.
It’s integral to know what your own strengths are and how you can contribute to a team. Research indicates that when a team has an unfamiliar task, there needs to be “context experts [who could] raise the quality of the [team]… by expanding and deepening the level of knowledge and skill[s] available to the team” (Woolley et al, 2008). These “context experts” have a specific skill set or higher level of knowledge than the other team members. They help the team overall by increasing their skill level thus assisting the group where they could have fallen flat.
Be a teammate and communicate!
Although a seemingly simple task, evidence suggests that “adverse events resulting from error happen at unacceptably high rates in the inpatient setting and that ineffective or insufficient communication among team members is often a contributing factor” (Lingard et al, 2004). Communication can prove to be an effective tool to building the relationship between safety and teamwork in healthcare. Establishing a steady flow of information between coworkers rather than position helps to avoid fatal mistakes. Ensure that communication happens in a timely manner, is consistent, key individuals are included, and that issues are not left unresolved.
Y’all did a great job at coming up with catchy phrases to help remember essential skills for teams/groups! I really liked the point you made about reducing the pressure of power amongst people. It’s important for everyone to know that they are safe and can speak freely. I also think y’all did great on explaining the importance of communication as a tool to facilitate the flow of information.
I loved the tips you guys put. Especially since they rhymed it made it even better. I especially loved the first one because it tells you how to achieve the psychological safety with people in power around you. As well as how to stand your ground.
The rhymes are very good to remember important info. I especially love the last tip. At the end of the day, you’re a team, that means every member has something to contribute or communicate no matter where they stand in the team. When everyone understands their role and is able to consistently communicate teams will flourish, much like you have written.