Navigating the Paradox in Teams Dynamics
Much team development work is founded on two assumptions: the first that the team is a team; the second that individuals inherently desire to be part of the team. Psychodynamic theory, particularly the work of Wilfred Bion and his seminal text “Experiences in Groups” (1961), invites us to question these assumptions and reveals a fundamental paradox at the heart of every individual and, by extension, every team. This paradox lies in the simultaneous desire to assert individuality while seeking connection and belonging within a group context. A war within each of us between our individuality and our “groupishness”.
These tensions are fueled by an individualistic culture which champions the primacy of the self and the achievement of self-realization. The drive in us to carve out our unique identities. However, this pursuit is tempered by the fear of isolation, compelling us to seek solace and security in the collective embrace of a team. Bion’s suggests this tension then creates two potential team cultures which he terms “work-group” and “basic groups “ — the former a functioning team, the latter a team unable to function for fear of being pulled apart.
Psychological health, both at the individual and team level, hinges not solely on vulnerability but on a clear sense of “primary task” — a concise articulation of why the team exists, the function they perform as a collective. In “work groups” the underlying tensions are held at bay by this primary task. In it’s absence “basic” groups are more driven by underlying anxieties and fantasies. Without a defined primary task, teams risk succumbing to dysfunction and disarray. They may find themselves adrift in a sea of ambiguity, unable to harness the collective energy toward a shared goal. In such instances, the lack of task becomes the root cause of their malaise, overshadowing any external challenges they may face.
By embracing the clarity and direction offered by a primary task, teams can transcend the myth of seamless teamwork and navigate the inherent paradox of individuality within the group. Through a shared commitment to a collective task, teams can forge a path toward cohesion, effectiveness, and performance, which suggests that every group should ask themselves “why do we exist?”
