When Teams Enter Full Fubar Mode
Team Fubar is a sight to see. Actually it’s so ugly it’s hard to look at it, but it is fascinating. We have an elected school board in our town – the Owen J. Roberts School District, Board of Directors. They have been in full fubar mode for the last year. A lame duck board, most voted out by the tax payers decided to get even for their embarrassment, by firing a Superintendent without cause, and then refused to discuss their reasoning with each other and the public. You can read about it all here.
The destructiveness, vindictiveness, infighting, backbiting, name calling, and absolute rancor is so amazing to watch, and yet so painful to see. And, there is no help, and no hope. Watching their antics caused me to remember my father pointing to a drunk homeless man, and saying,
Rob, “Even he can make a positive contribution. He can serve as an example of what not to become.”
As a team consultant for over 20 plus years now. I have rarely seen teams in full fubar mode. Maybe I have seen 2 in over 20 years. I usually get called before the team gets to that point (thankfully). Full fubar mode is like Katrina for Teams – nothing can be done in the middle of the hurricane, and the clean up will take years, and some scars will never heal. This mess has divided the community, cost an incredible amount of tax payer money, and eroded people’s faith in governmental processes even more.
Now, the 64 million dollar question: Could this have been prevented? A big maybe, but probably not. Board Members would have had to recognize their conflict early and sought help, and a lot of it. Each member would have had to be a willing participant in reflective learning, a huge move from their respective positions.
Conflict in groups is normal and natural and can be a source of great energy, insight, and action. It can also limit options, erode trust, and ultimately destroy the group, as it did with the Owen J. Roberts School Board.
Working conflict effectively is a sorely needed skill-set for people in power. Unfortunately so many times those in power, play to their power to resolve conflicts, taking harder stances, refusing to listen, painting the opposition, and refusing to reflect and learn. Unbridled, this leads to full fubar mode. Unfortunately that’s when the poop hits the fan, and we all get to participate. The worst part is that this phenomena is all too predictable. Excuse me, I got that wrong, the worst part is that it is preventable!
from → Team Building
