Effects of 5 Dynamics on student perception of team performance

Leadership development has emerged as an essential component of pharmacy school curricula. Recognizing the need for curricular integration of leadership and teaming throughout each year, the University of Utah implemented a longitudinal leadership framework called Relational Leadership. 5 Dynamics was used as a tool to teach concepts of effective teamwork and leadership in different courses within this framework.

5 Dynamics was used within two courses in the curricula. 5 Dynamics is designed to enhance self-awareness and improve team skills by providing a detailed assessment of how each student prefers to work and collaborate and how their respective preferences or energies can be utilized in a team setting. Learning outcomes were assessed using the Team Performance Survey.

Each student was provided with an individualized energy profile from 5 Dynamics and used their particular energies to complete various activities, assignments, and projects. The highest energy was Examine, with 61% of students being either "effortless" or "abundant". A total of 64% of students reported they strongly agreed with the statement that they understood how to apply their 5 Dynamics results to learning, work, and collaboration. Student survey scores from the Team Performance Survey administered at the end of each course indicated high-quality team interactions between students.

5 Dynamics is a tool that may help students in maximizing their leadership and teamwork skills. This tool may be utilized by other institutions in diverse courses to teach concepts of teaming, leadership, and self-awareness.