What to Do When You Work on a Dysfunctional Team - The Muse

What to Do When You Work on a Dysfunctional Team - The MuseWhat to Do When You Work on a Dysfunctional Team While no workplace is perfect, there are shades of gray when it comes to dysfunction. While you hear about the toxic workplace- one that is so rife with negativity that you feel dread and anxiety even before you arrive at your desk- you probably know that its not always so easy to just smack that label on an entire organization. After all, you may really like your company and your role, but find that youre working on an incredibly chaotic team. You may also find that when theres ongoing conflict in your department, that dissatisfaction can carry over into other parts of your overall happiness and well-being. And thats because dysfunctions like annoying background noise. Its always there, subtly impacting interactions. While it may not be influencing your work or mood to the point where youre thinking about quitting (yet), its important to manage the situation before it does get out of control. Here are some steps you can take1. Figure Out What Youre Dealing WithBefore you can take steps to address the problem, you have to evaluate what exactly youre dealing with. Look for patterns in team dynamics. Is everyone always steamrolling each others opinions? Does the group meet infrequently and lack direction, or does everyone feel collectively overwhelmed by outside expectations? The more you can pinpoint the problem, the faster you can move to step two.2. Figure Out What You Can ChangeOnce youve identified the problem, you can identify what you can and cant fix. A big problem I see with my clients is that they let little annoyances build up. For example, they dont confront difficult co-workers or directly communicate with their boss about whats going on. Instead, they make assumptions, internalize issues, and have erroneous expectations that they dont vocalize. And these actions only allow problems to fester, perpetuating the dysfunction. Lets say you find you rself working overtime because the rest of the team isnt pulling their weight. You can broach the topics with your boss using a simple, three-line assertion message First, summarize the situation and describe the facts Ive stayed until 8 PM working on the product launch for the last five days.Then, indicate your feeling, stance, or perception My sense is that we need to re-evaluate the workload and resources dedicated to the project. I have a few ideas for how we could approach this.Finally, make an explicit request Id like to have a meeting with you to discuss. What time on Monday works best?Notice that using this approach shows youre proactive. Youre not interested in blaming others or complaining- youre looking for solutions. I know its scary, but identifying what you can change and speaking up breaks the cycle. Whether youre a team leader or just a team member, its important to assertively call out problems when you feel comfortable doing so (and I know that comfort depends on y our organization and what the problem is). Read mora How to Be More Assertive at Work (Without Being a Jerk)3. Figure Out What You Can Learn From the SituationIf you determine you cant change anything (or change enough), remember that you do have full control over your actions and attitudes. Make the best of a less-than-ideal situation by seeking out unique opportunities to grow and learn new things even when the cards are stacked against you. By doing so, you embrace a growth mindset, reframing a challenge as an opportunity for personal and professional progress.For example, I had a client who felt like her manager was blocking all of her ideas. She reframed her mindset about the situation and saw that it was a chance to exercise and hone her negotiating skills, which turned it into a fun experiment for her rather than something she dreaded. Read More The Mindset Change You Need if You Work in a Competitive CompanyAnd the final step Figure out whats best for you. Ultimately, its cr ucial to have good boundaries between your work and home life and take care of yourself first. If a dysfunctional teams affecting your health and you cant seem to right the ship (or honestly, dont think its your place to do so), dont waste months or years trying to make things better. At the end of your day, your well-being is your number one asset. Consider your long-term plan for your career, and make your own professional and personal goals a priority.