1. Cooperation refers to each provider’s willingness to seek out, to listen to, and to learn from one another.

2. Assertiveness refers to each provider’s willingness to offer information with confidence, valuing and supporting his/her own profession’s approach to care and personal experience.

Also, if one provider is perceived as being especially assertive, moving toward aggressive, other providers may feel uncomfortable offering their input and only appear to agree or "compromise".

The cooperation and assertiveness of each member mean that decisions are made based on consensus. Consensus is facilitated by the full participation of the team using a balance of co-operation and assertiveness (all concur but do not necessarily completely or unanimously agree). Each provider agrees to support the decision and the resulting integrative plan.

Role negotiation: within the team the presence of each provider impacts on the work of every other provider especially when knowledge and skills overlap. Flexible roles need to be negotiated to ensure that contributions are complementary and not restricted or competitive.

The openness required for co-operation and assertiveness helps both to avoid and resolve conflict.

Listening and contributing freely support innovative approaches, stimulate new learning and professional growth.