4. groups and teams

8/6/2019 4. Groups and Teams

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GROUPS AND TEAMS


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Whatare groups?

Group is defined as twoormore

individuals, interacting and

interdependent,whohavecometogethertoachieveparticularobjectives

Group dynamics isthecomprehensive

term used to describethe nuancesof

groupsoperations


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Types of Groups


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Why dopeoplejoin groups?

Security

Status

Self-esteem Affiliation

Power

Goal Achievement


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Whatareteams?

Team: A small numberofpeoplewithcomplementary skillswhoarecommittedtoacommon purpose,performance

goals,and approachforwhichthey holdthemselves mutually accountable.


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TypesofTeams

TypesofTeams

Problem-Solving Teams

Groups of 5 to 12 employees from thesame department who meet for a fewhours each week to discuss ways of

improving quality, efficiency, and thework environment.

Self-Managed Work Teams

Groups of 10 to 15 people who takeon the responsibilities of their formersupervisors.


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TypesofTeamsTypesofTeams

Task forces

Committees

Cross-Functional Teams

Employees from about the same hierarchical level,but from different work areas, who come together toaccomplish a task.


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TypesofTeamsTypesofTeams

Team Characteristics

1. The absence of paraverbal and nonverbal cues

2. A limited social context

3. The ability to overcome time and space constraints

Team Characteristics

1. The absence of paraverbal and nonverbal cues

2. A limited social context

3. The ability to overcome time and space constraints

Virtual Teams

Teams that use computertechnology to tie together

physically dispersedmembers in order toachieve a common goal.


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Comparing Work Groupsand Work TeamsComparing Work Groupsand Work Teams


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Work Group Work Teams

Strong clearly focused leader Shared leadership roles

Individual accountability Individual and Mutual accountability

Purpose same asorganization's Specific purpose

Individual work products Collective work products

Runs efficient meetings

Open-ended, active, problem-solving

meetings

Measures effectiveness

indirectly (financial

performance of overall

business)

Measures performance directly by assessing

collective work-products

Discusses, decides, delegates Discusses, decides, does real work

Comparing Work Groupsand Work TeamsComparing Work Groupsand Work Teams


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Groupformation- Five Stage Model

Thischaracterizes groupsashaving five distinct

stages:

Forming- greatuncertainty,confusion about

groupspurpose,structure,leadership; memberstesting thewaters

Storming Intra-groupconflict; groupexistence

accepted butresistancetoconstraintsplaced bygroupon individuality;conflictovercontrol;


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Groupformation- Five Stage Model

Norming Closerelationships develop; group

cohesivewithstrong senseof identity;

Performing-Fully functionaland accepted

structure;taskathand being performed

Adjourning Only fortemporary groups; group

preparesfordisbandment;wrapping up

activities;some membersupbeataboutcompletion ofwork;others depressed overloss

ofcamaraderieand friendships


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Five Stage Model


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Group Processes

Norms

Status

Cohesion

Conformity

Deviance Groupthink


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Group Processes

TaskFunctions activitiesthatensure

the job iseffectively done

MaintenanceFunction activitiesthat

ensurethat groupssocialrelationships,

cohesion and satisfaction are

maintained


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RolesofGroup Members

Task Roles

Idea Initiator

Information seeker

Information provider

Problem clarifier

Summarizer Consensustester

Maintenance Roles

Harmoniser

Gatekeeper

SupporterorEncourager

Compromiser

Standards Monitor

Self-Oriented Roles

Aggressors

Blockers Recognition seekers

Dominators

Avoiders

Interest Pleaders


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Intra-group dynamics

The dynamicsthattakeplacewithin groupsRequired behaviors.

Thoseformally defined and expected by the

organization. Emergentbehaviors.

Thosethat group members display in addition towhattheorganization asksofthem.

Emergentbehaviorsoften supplement requiredbehaviors.


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Inter-group dynamics

The dynamicsthattakeplacebetween twoor

more groups.

On the negativeside, inter-group dynamics may

divertenergiesas membersfocuson animositiesratherthan performance

On thepositiveside,competing groups may:

Workharderwith morefocuson key tasks

Develop more internalloyalty and satisfaction.

Achievebetterquality decisions


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Group Dynamics Social Loafing

Socialloafing isthetendency ofpeopletoworklesshard in a

groupthan they would individually. Reasonsforsocialloafing.

Individualcontributionsareless noticeable in the group

context.

Some individualsprefertoseeotherscarry the

workload. Waysofpreventing socialloafing.

Define memberrolesand tasksto maximize individual

interests.

Link individualrewardstoperformancecontributionstothe group.

Raiseaccountability by identifying individuals

performancecontributionstothe group.


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Groupthink

Phenomenon in which norm forconsensusoverridestherealisticappraisalofalternativecoursesofaction

Groupthinkcan lead the groupto makepoor decisions.

Symptoms: Rationalization

Self-censorship

Illusion ofunanimity

Peerpressure Stereotyped views

Decision making defects

Fewalternatives

Noreexamination ofpreferred /

rejected alternatives Rejection ofexpert / valid opinions

Selectivebiasto new information


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Variablesthat influence groupthink

Groupscohesiveness

Leadersbehavior

Insulation from outsiders

Timepressures

Failuretofollow methodical decision-making

procedures

Group membersand leadersshould:

Be sensitive to the occurrence of

groupthink.

Take actions to prevent the occurrence

of groupthink


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Good Team LeaderSkills/ Characteristics

Patience,Flexibility, Tactful

Facilitator,Coordinator, Notan

order-giver

Good Communication skills

Good senseofhumor

Leadswithoutpositional

authority,by example

Knowledge

Provides direction, decisive


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AdvantagesofTeams

Increasesemployee motivation

Increasesjob involvementand belonging

Meetsemployeessocial & emotional needs

Increasescommunication, inter-personal interaction, mutualtrustand confidenceamongst members

Membersworktowardscommon goalsand thispreventsselfishthought

Decreasesconflict

Results in highlevelofgroupeffectiveness

Getsbetterresultsthan collection of individuals

Bringstogethercomplementary skillsand experience

Createsan open and participatory climate


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DisadvantagesofTeams May sufferfrom infighting overwork distribution,

decision-making Member indifference

Conflicts,competitiveness,hostility among membersmay handicapteams

High degreeofstress Members may indulge in self-interestforming

coalitionstoreward and punishforpersonalbenefits;

May promotecohesion in nameofconsensus

May reinforceconformity in nameofcreativity

Delayed action

Merely turning individualstoteam memberswill nothelp


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Effective Teams

Effective Teamstaketimetobuild in an organization

Team building activity isany formalactivity intendedto improvethe developmentand functioning ofaworkteam

Itcomprisesofthreeprocesses:

Team Development

Team Roles Team Effectiveness

Typesofteam building activities:

Role definition

Goalsetting Problem solving

Interpersonalprocesses

4. groups and teams

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