Team Spirit

Identity

Divided We Are, and Getting More So

Chester S Spell Ph.D. on March 20, 2024

Data show we are more divided and isolated socially than ever. Why is this happening, and what does it mean for our groups?

Data show we are more divided and isolated socially than ever. Why is this happening, and what does it mean for our groups?

Gender

Equality and Leading Teams in the Military

Chester S Spell Ph.D. on March 29, 2023

The CEO of the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation reviews the state of gender dynamics in the armed forces.

The CEO of the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation reviews the state of gender dynamics in the armed forces.

Artificial Intelligence

Forcing Versus Choosing: The Future of AI

Katerina Bezrukova Ph.D. on March 10, 2023

The incursion of ChatGPT and other types of AI into our lives seems inevitable but comes across to some as a forced, unwelcome invasion. Is there any way to manage all this?

The incursion of ChatGPT and other types of AI into our lives seems inevitable but comes across to some as a forced, unwelcome invasion. Is there any way to manage all this?

Friends

Propaganda and Information Manipulation in Groups

Katerina Bezrukova Ph.D. on March 30, 2022

How misinformation, much like a weed, takes root in groups, kills everything else, and can be hard to eliminate.

How misinformation, much like a weed, takes root in groups, kills everything else, and can be hard to eliminate.

Social Life

Are We Facing the Death of Teams, or a Rebirth?

Katerina Bezrukova Ph.D. on January 6, 2021

Before the pandemic, we were becoming more socially disconnected and belonged to fewer groups. What now?

Before the pandemic, we were becoming more socially disconnected and belonged to fewer groups. What now?

Law and Crime

The George Floyd Case

Katerina Bezrukova Ph.D. on June 11, 2020

Police brutality: Is it a social pandemic?

Police brutality: Is it a social pandemic?

Leadership

The Runaway Train of Conflict

Katerina Bezrukova Ph.D. on January 8, 2020

Conflicts often operate on a "tit for tat" basis with each round of retaliation getting worse. But does it have to be this way? Recent conflict management suggests a better path.

Conflicts often operate on a "tit for tat" basis with each round of retaliation getting worse. But does it have to be this way? Recent conflict management suggests a better path.

Education

What Apollo 11 Can Teach Us About Team Building

Chester S Spell Ph.D. on July 17, 2019

Just when you think there is nothing more to learn from the legendary Apollo flights, there are more surprises.

Just when you think there is nothing more to learn from the legendary Apollo flights, there are more surprises.

Artificial Intelligence

What Are Faultlines and Why Are They a Big Deal for Teams?

Katerina Bezrukova Ph.D. on March 20, 2019

Fractured groups, fractured jobs, and technological advances in the workplace.

Fractured groups, fractured jobs, and technological advances in the workplace.

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence and Teamwork

Chester S Spell Ph.D. on March 20, 2019

The ups and downs of AI and why being able to manage teams will be even more important.

The ups and downs of AI and why being able to manage teams will be even more important.

Bias

Starbucks's Diversity Training

Chester S Spell Ph.D. on May 29, 2018

How and when diversity training and other anti-bias efforts make a difference.

How and when diversity training and other anti-bias efforts make a difference.

Life is full of ethical dilemmas. We asked project teams of civil engineering students to respond to some of them while designing a toll highway.

“I don’t like the racism and the name calling” said George W. Bush about the current political environment. What is the future of diversity training in today’s contentious climate?

Can research in groups and teams help us understand today's politics and the implications of Donald Trump's success?

Can six astronauts share a tiny apartment for 5 years without driving each other crazy? NASA and the emerging private space industry are searching for answers.

The racial tension currently raging on college campuses has triggered a national debate. But is universal diversity training the solution, as officials at Missouri and elsewhere suggest? Our research shows that many diversity training initiatives (not all) are misplaced in terms of their goals and how they go about trying to change attitudes.

Leadership

The ‘Magic Potion’ of Team Chemistry

Chester S Spell Ph.D. on July 21, 2015

Different mixes for different teams? Research suggests that what’s good for chemistry in management teams might not be true for teams in other types of work.

Different mixes for different teams? Research suggests that what’s good for chemistry in management teams might not be true for teams in other types of work.

Some teams are built upon the shoulders of a ‘hero.’ Others are a collection of equals in getting work done. The different styles are on display right now in the NBA playoffs, and how well the players work together sometimes seems as much the story as their sheer individual talent.

Can tolerance between different religious groups and races be increased or is it just something “we have to live with?”

Media

Team Chemistry in Major League Baseball

Chester S Spell Ph.D. on October 9, 2014

Back in March and before the season started, we predicted team chemistry based on our faultline algorithm and regression analysis for all 30 MLB teams. Now let’s see how we did.

Back in March and before the season started, we predicted team chemistry based on our faultline algorithm and regression analysis for all 30 MLB teams. Now let’s see how we did.