Idea in Brief
The Problem
Teams under pressure often regress to unhealthy coping mechanisms, instinctively looking for ways to allay their members’ collective anxiety. They may become stuck in pathological patterns that sabotage their mission and work.
The Forms It Takes
Such teams may unconsciously appoint one member to solve their problems—a sole savior—or cast two people in that role, becoming dependent on a dynamic duo. Or they may expend their energy in a fight against or a flight from a common enemy, real or perceived.
How to Overcome It
Sociograms—simple drawings showing how each member perceives the group’s interactions—can help teams surface and break out of dysfunctional patterns of behavior.