The mention of high performance teams brings to mind powerful athletic teams, crisply functioning military units, and highly professional security or law enforcement organizations. Attributing the skill of forgiveness to high performing teams may seem incongruous, but researchers are finding that the ability to forgive is an important characteristic of high performance teams.
What is Forgiveness?
Though some may feel that forgiving a transgression is a weakness, researchers indicate forgiveness is actually a ubiquitous character strength valued by most cultures. Mahatma Gandhi recognized this when he said, "The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong."
While forgiveness often implies an altruistic act toward a transgressor, forgiveness benefits the person wronged. As Christian author Lewis B. Smedes once said, "To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you."
Why Forgiveness is Important to High Performing Teams
The very nature of working closely with others virtually guarantees there will be conflicts and transgressions which can affect relationships and generate workplace stress. Conflict with co-workers is often indicated as a significant factor in workplace stress. High performance teams are not immune to interpersonal conflicts, but they have learned the role of forgiveness and the benefits it brings to individuals and the team's performance.
Amanda Horne ("Letting Go," Positive Psychology News, June 3, 2010) indicates unresolved conflicts among team members leads to absenteeism, staff turnover, poor team performance, and even health issues for individual team members.
In contrast, Horne provides these benefits for teams practicing forgiveness:
- Productive interpersonal relationships
- Thriving teamwork
- Job satisfaction, high morale, and employee retention
- Innovative problem solving
- Flexibility when facing change
- Productivity
- Resilience
- Physical, mental, and emotional health
Workplace Stress Management with Forgiveness
Though forgiveness is a virtue valued by most cultures and religions, learning to forgive can be difficult to put into practice. Fortunately, positive psychology researchers have identified processes and interventions useful for individuals and workplace teams alike. High performing teams are used to learn new skills that enable strong performance. Managers of such teams can lead the team through forgiveness interventions which will build even stronger team inter-relationships and performance.
Learning to Forgive
One forgiveness intervention created by psychologist Dr. Everett Worthington, VCU Department of Psychology, is termed REACH, an acronym for Recall the hurt, Empathize with the transgressor, Altruistic gift of forgiveness to the transgressor, Commitment to forgive, and Hold on to the forgiveness. Worthington's REACH intervention is freely available in both leader's and participant's guides for managers and workplace teams.
Another proven forgiveness intervention is described in "Four Elements of Forgiveness," by Ryan Howes on Psychology Today Online (viewed September 19, 2010). Howes' four elements characterizing successful acts of forgiveness are:
- Express the emotions felt at the time of the transgressing action.
- Understand why the transgression may have occurred.
- Rebuild a safety net against a repeat of the transgression.
- Let go of grudges, resentment, and revenge.
Forgiveness is Important to Creating High Performance Teams
High performing teams are characterized by close working relationships, high productivity, willingness to learn new skills, and the ability to manage internal conflicts. Forgiveness plays a significant role in the team's ability to manage conflicts while maintaining high performance. Proven forgiveness interventions are available to assist team leaders and participants in learning the skills and techniques of forgiveness.
Jerry Lopper - IPPA member, business and engineering degrees. Jerry's passion for personal development shows in 5 books, hundreds of articles & ...
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