Emotions run high and a lot of energy is wasted—but what good does that do? None at all; in fact, it’s counterproductive: the team’s spirit is in the drain, and instead of cooperation, there’s only conflict, which can cause serious damage in the long run.

The question of blame is secondary at the beginning. What’s important is finding a solution to the pressing problem. For that to work, the team must first invest all its energy in this goal. To do so, everyone needs to pull jointly and in the same direction, instead of wasting that energy on assigning blame.

Once the problem is solved, the next step is to work together to determine how to avoid the same or a similar situation from the start in the future. Here, too, the question of blame is irrelevant.

In the end, it usually turns out that the question of blame is no longer important at all. And if it is, it can be addressed on a fact-based rather than an emotional level.

Result:

• The problem is solved.
• Recurrence in the future is ruled out.
• Team spirit is strengthened because everyone worked together and mastered the crisis