Module 5 Reflection Blog

 Reflection Blog:  ICT at the Team Level

Melissa D. Burns

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Using the concepts within ICT focused on the team level, reflect on why the Olympic US Women’s Soccer team won so often and the United States’ men’s basketball Dream Team did so poorly in 2000 and 2004?

            The US Olympic Men’s Basketball team called the Dream Team and the US Women’s National Soccer Team have had very different experiences with team dynamics, leadership and the resulting success.  Intentional Change Theory (ICT) at the team level is just as important as it is on the individual, organizational or National level and the same rules apply.  The five major discoveries are still the ideal self, the real self, your learning agenda, experimenting with and practicing new habits, and developing and maintaining close, personal relationships (Boyatzis & McKee, 2005). 

            In 2000 and 2004, the Dream Team was under additional stressors and fear due to the attacks at 9/11.  The team was fearful of the very real threat of another attack at the Olympic games and it was causing added tensions and was strongly affecting the team’s performance (Helin, 2016).  US basketball always won at the Olympics and the choosing of the top players was assumed to always produce a winning team.  What was overlooked was the team dynamics and the team culture that was led by their coach.  In addition to the added stress from 9/11 and oversight and blaze way of choosing a team, the team coach was publicly criticizing the team (Helin, 2016). Coach Larry Brown was known for liking veteran players over younger ones and the coach’s criticism added to the tension and contributed to their poor performance (Helin, 2016).  The team simply could not work together and play well together under such negative pressure.  

            The US Women’s soccer team is know for having the formula to building a winning team.  The team looked at teamwork as a strength and it helped them to become a high-performing team (Melzer, 2018).  One of the ICT tactics that they use is recognizing their real self and accepting each individual player for who they are and playing to their strengths and working on their weaknesses (Melzer, 2018).  The team was very successful at working towards becoming their ideal self and despite some drama, they were able to maintain a similar mindset and had great coaches and captains for leader who set the tone to form a strong foundation for the team (Melzer, 2018).  The team leadership encouraged everyone to be empowered and they had individual team members who also acted as strong leaders and helped to motivate the other players to continue working together to achieve their common goal, winning the World Cup (Melzer, 2018).  The team was able to successfully transform through empowerment and motivation and developed and maintained a positive culture that was sustained with positive and strong leadership (Melzer, 2018).  

            Group dynamics are complicated and without a strong and empathic leader who is passionate and can encourage a positive learning environment and culture within a team, things can go south very quickly as was the case with the US Men’s basketball team.  The US Women’s Soccer Team is an example of a successful leadership team who were able to implement ICT and achieve their goals.     

References

Akrivou, K., Boyatzis, R. E., & McLeod, P. L. (2006). The evolving group: Towards a prescriptive theory of intentional group development. The Journal of Management Development, 25(7), 689-706. doi:10.1108/02621710610678490

Boyatzis, R. E., & McKee, A. (2005). Resonant leadership: Renewing yourself and connecting with others through mindfulness, hope, and compassion. Boston: Harvard Business School Press.

Helin, K. (2016).  Remembering What Went Wrong in 2000-2004 Olympics for Team USA. Retrieved from https://nba.nbcsports.com/2016/08/02/remembering-what-went-wrong-in-2000-2004-olympics-for-team-usa/

Melzer, D. (2019).  How the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team Has Maintained Its Dominance. Retrieved from https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/337968

 

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