Interpersonal dynamics can have a major impact on a team's level of success. Different backgrounds and experiences, different work and communication styles, and different ideas regarding recommendations and implementation tactics are all issues a team must be able to navigate. Teams may also struggle with a variety of other issues including the lack of a well-thought out plan to approach the case, not clearly defining each team member's role and responsibilities, or procrastinating, then panicking at the last minute.
No matter what your chosen career path, you will most likely work in a team at some point in your career. Lucky for you, case competitions are a great way to master your teamwork skills. Whether you are placed on a team with students you've never worked with before, or are on a team with a group you self-selected, there are sure to be challenges along the way.
If you are placed on a team with students you don't know well, or even someone you may not get along with, think of this as a great opportunity to get to know students you wouldn't normally meet, work with different people and learn more about yourself. Additionally, you should make every effort to meet early and frequently as a group. Get to know each other, talk about your previous case competition experiences, plan for the case you'll be working on, and learn each other's strengths. Remember, you were each selected for this team because you bring unique skills and experiences to the table. Some of our most successful teams at Marshall have been teams students were individually selected for.
Many students assume that working with a team they selected will be easier than working with a team they were assigned to. While sometimes this can be true, it is not always the case. If you are friends, but have never worked together before, you may be surprised by how your fellow team members act in the case competition environment. Additionally, your backgrounds and skills may not be as varied as would be optimal for the team. If you come across challenges in working with a team you selected, discuss these challenges with the team and reach out to your MCCP coach for guidance.