Teamwork and Communication

Abstract

This 3-year research project assessed the effectiveness of a teambuilding intervention among a group of department leaders who supervised a fire management unit working in the forests of the western United States. The intervention began with a 3-day retreat that covered three basic areas: communication skills, consensus building, and collaborative problem solving. Four months later, a 1-day follow-up session was held, and 6 months after that, another 3-day retreat. For each of the following 2 years, every team member was again interviewed, and a 2-day follow-up session was held. Researchers conducted interviews prior to the intervention and each of the follow-up sessions. Three years after the intervention began, group members reported substantial improvement in their teamwork including: (a) an increase in the ability to raise issues and manage conflict, (b) an increase in mutual praise, support, and cooperation, (c) clarification of roles and responsibilities, and (d) long-term commitment to teamwork and innovation.