HCI Webinar Recap: Building Team Cohesion, with Kendall Wallace

In the latest HCI Webinar, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Kendall Wallace about building team cohesion. Below is a summary of the main points from their conversation! Check out the full episode and let us know what you think!

Watch the episode here:

Quick Recap

Jonathan and Kendall discussed the importance of team cohesion, effective communication, and creating meaningful experiences to foster stronger connections within teams. They explored the impact of personal experiences, family dynamics, and leadership styles on team performance, emphasizing the need for consistent opportunities for communication and feedback. The conversation concluded with insights on the value of team-building activities and debriefs in improving team dynamics, as well as the importance of self-reflection and personal growth in fostering successful teamwork.

Team Cohesion and Meaningful Experiences

Jonathan and Kendall discussed the importance of team cohesion and the need for meaningful experiences to foster stronger connections within a team. Kendall shared her background, including her travels and personal growth journey, and her current role in designing corporate offsites that promote effective communication and happiness. Jonathan expressed his appreciation for Kendall's expertise and the value of her experiences in team building.

Improving Team Dynamics Through Communication

Kendall shared her personal experience of being fired for not being a good teammate, which led her to study team dynamics and cohesion. She emphasized the importance of creating opportunities for team discussion and debriefs to improve working dynamics. Jonathan agreed, recalling a transformative experience where he realized his own role in undermining team cohesion. They both agreed that consistent opportunities for communication about team performance are crucial for improvement.

Understanding Family Dynamics in Leadership

Kendall and Jonathan discussed the importance of understanding family dynamics and their influence on workplace behavior. Kendall emphasized the concept of triangles in family and organizational systems, and the need for leaders to remain outside of conflicts rather than getting involved. Jonathan agreed, using the example of parenting to illustrate how leaders can inadvertently stunt their team's growth by constantly intervening in conflicts. They also discussed the importance of teaching and embodying the desired behavior in others.

Receiving Feedback Without Defensiveness

Kendall and Jonathan discussed the importance of receiving feedback without defensiveness. Kendall emphasized the need for practice in accepting feedback graciously. Jonathan agreed and suggested that assuming good intentions in interactions could empower individuals to respond effectively. He also mentioned a past experience from his master's program, which he intended to share in a future discussion.

Team Building and Motivation Challenges

Jonathan shared his experience of participating in a team-building activity during his first year at a program. He was initially excited about the prospect of working with the same team in every class for two years. However, he was concerned about the possibility of being stuck with a less motivated team member. During a team-building exercise, Jonathan observed his partner not paying attention to the task at hand, which led to their failure. Despite his competitive nature, Jonathan realized that he could not succeed without his partner's cooperation.

Team Dynamics and Debriefing Importance

Jonathan shared a transformative experience from a team activity where he initially blamed his partner for their failure. However, during the debrief, he realized his overcompensation and lack of trust in his partner led to the team's downfall. This realization shifted his perspective on team interactions and significantly impacted his approach to teamwork over the next two decades. Kendall emphasized the importance of debriefs and team bonding activities in fostering better team dynamics and addressing potential issues.

Listen to the webinar here: