Effective collaboration within an organization is the key strategic advantage for achieving successful interdisciplinary results.  Diverse departments and disciplines often pursue their interests in a parochial manner.  Partnering for specific projects, while common, is often difficult because individuals involved have very little training in or understanding of how to operate within a matrix interdisciplinary environment.  They rely on traditional behaviors inherent in hierarchical structures where position and prestige hold the decision-making power.

This operating culture within interdisciplinary groups can marginalize other participants who would otherwise be contributing more equitably to achieving the group’s intended results.  When this happens, the best of the participants’ abilities are lost to interpersonal competition, group in-decision, withholding resources, wasted time and money and lost opportunities.

Traditional medical training promotes a competitive, individual contributor mentality.  As such, rewards are given for individual performance i.e. grants, first authorship and research findings, all of which do not promote collaborative behavior.  Changing trends in patient care and research are requiring a team effort to produce optimal results.

When participants of an interdisciplinary group can apply learned techniques and processes for effective teamwork, their shared results are measurably improved.  The group’s goals and priorities are clear, roles and accountabilities are well defined and operating protocols for communication, meetings, decision-making and resolving conflicts are specifically agreed and adhered to.  Ultimately, deadlines are met and results are achieved.

Goals

• To train participants on the skills and techniques of developing effective teamwork.
• Create a structure and operating protocol for interdisciplinary group collaboration.
• Define the roles and accountabilities of interdisciplinary groups/teams, leaders/facilitators and members/participants.
• Enhance participant’s team oriented professional development with individual assessments, skills inventories and personalized coaching support.
• Define behavioral guidelines for communication, meetings, assigning tasks, decision-making, conflict resolution and balancing department and group requirements