Educators work with multiple teams, and sometimes for all kinds of reasons, the teams don't work well together. In hindsight, as I think of teams I worked on that didn't work well together, it's too bad that we didn't have a little more coaching since when looking back, I notice that our goals were generally the same, our work ethic solid, and we shared the common education factor of having way too much work with far too little time, so a little leadership from a well-intended, skilled coach would have made a big difference for all of us as there was no big reason why we didn't gel.
Sometimes friend and family teams hit rough spots. Again, these teams generally have the best interests for each other in mind, but problems can something create a struggle with regard to the teamwork. When this happens, it's best for the team to get together, talk it out, and perhaps, get some coaching to smooth out those rough spots. Yet, when teamwork skills are weak and main objectives at odds, it can be very difficult to create good collaboration where there isn't any.
Of course, as a team member, you always have to look at your own team skills--where are you weak and where are you more of a hindrance than a contributor when it comes to good teamwork. What can you do to be a better team member? You also have to be patient with yourself and everyone else on the team as no one has the monopoly on best team skills--each team member will have different strengths and challenges, and to recognize that while maximizing the strengths and mitigating the challenges is ideal.
I love working with an invested team. Yesterday I spoke to a couple of team members related to a project I'm working on--the team members were invested, knowledgeable, honest, and ever so helpful. Together we got to a new and seemingly better place with regard to the project work which felt awesome.
I become dismayed when I work with a team that struggles. I typically try all kinds of strategies, some more successful than others, to move beyond the struggles to regain or build a sense of good teamwork.
When teams don't work well together, it is up to every team member to do their part to try to strengthen the synergy. Sometimes, even when everyone is trying, the team will collapse, and members will have to move to new teams that are a better fit for their goals and team style. That can be the right thing to do too. Onward.