Final answer:
The contextual factor lacking in Gwen's team is trust, which hinders open communication and collaboration. Building trust is crucial to improve the team's effectiveness.
Step-by-step explanation:
The contextual factor that is lacking in Gwen's team is trust. The described behavior of team members talking behind each other's backs, monitoring each other's work, and looking for mistakes indicates a lack of trust within the team. Trust is an essential factor in building effective teams, as it fosters open communication, collaboration, and mutual support.
Without trust, team members may feel hesitant to speak up or contribute during team meetings, like Gwen. They may fear backlash or negative consequences from their colleagues. Consequently, this lack of participation can hinder team effectiveness and the exchange of diverse ideas and perspectives.
To improve the situation in Gwen's team, it is crucial to develop trust among the team members. This can be achieved through team-building activities, fostering a culture of transparency and openness, and emphasizing the importance of collaboration and mutual respect.