The Georgia Tech Effective Team Dynamics Initiative (ETD) is building interdependent teams who work effectively through team challenges to obtain outcomes that are above those reached by individuals working independently. We equip faculty with skills to teach graduate and undergraduate students to work effectively in teams. The program has expanded to a campus-wide initiative that includes over 50
00 students and 1000 faculty/staff that have been trained during the past three years. The initiative includes an undergraduate curriculum that is integrated into core courses where students are working in teams to complete some of the course requirements. We have demonstrated the curriculum in the BS MSE and BS ME degree programs and have started to implement it in all degree programs at Georgia Tech through first-year seminar and ENGL 1102. The curriculum is based on Team Science Literature, CliftonStrengths research, and our own research. We help students focus on what is right with them, instead of what is wrong with them and teach them to appreciate the diversity of their teammates. The Interdisciplinary Graduate Research Teams modules have been developed and deployed in settings that include a full-day workshop, 50 minute sessions integrated into courses where students are working in teams, and in graduate level professional development courses. In the Campus Recreation Department professional staff, student managers and student workers have changed the way that they work together. They have integrated a strengths-based language in their team meetings, trainings, and annual review process. The annual review process now focuses on how employees are deploying their strengths to reach departmental goals and objectives as well as work successfully on a team together. Other departments at Georgia Tech are integrating the strengths language and effective team dynamics activities. Gallup research has shown that employees and students who focus on their strengths are 6 times more likely to be engaged. A strengths-based approach at Georgia Tech will increase engagement and improve health and well-being by enhancing communication, fostering positive interactions, and focusing on what is right with our community. We have seen a change in the way people talk about themselves and their coworkers over the past three years. We create opportunities to reshape teaming experiences by having the Georgia Institute of Technology community ask themselves three key questions: Who am I?
