groups and teams. how can we move this heavy box?

Groups and Teams

How can we move this heavy box?

The Five Dysfunctions of a Team Patrick Lencioni (2002) “Dysfunctions are absence of trust, fear of

conflict, lack of commitment, avoidance of accountability and inattention to results”

“Not finance. Not strategy. Not technology. It is teamwork that remains the ultimate competitive advantage, both because it is so powerful and so rare.”

Describe the basic nature of groups: the dynamics of group formation and the various types of groups.

Discuss the implications that research on groups has for the practice of management.

Explain the important dynamics of informal groups and organizations.

Analyze the impact of groupthink.

Present the newly emerging team concept and practice.

Relaxed, comfortable, informal atmosphere

Task well understood & accepted

People express feelings & ideas

Members listen well & participate

Consensus decision making

Conflict & disagreement center around ideas or methods

Clear assignments made & accepted

Group aware of its operation & function

The Dynamics of Group Formation Propinquity George Homans- AIS Balance Theory Exchange Theory

Group Stages FSNPA

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Types of Groups Primary Groups Coalitions Other Types of

Groups▪ Membership▪ Reference Group▪ In-Group▪ Out-Group

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Norms of Behavior - the standards that a work group uses to evaluate the behavior of its members

Group Cohesion - the “interpersonal glue” that makes members of a group stick together

Social Loafing - the failure of a group member to contribute personal time, effort, thoughts, or other resources to the group

Loss of Individuality - a social process in which individual group members lose self-awareness & its accompanying sense of accountability, inhibition, and responsibility for individual behavior

Implications from Research on Group Dynamics The Schachter Study Implications of the Schachter Study

Group/Team Effectiveness

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Norms and Roles in Informal GroupsStrongly enforced if:

- Aid in group survival and provision of benefits - Simplify or make predictable behavior expected- Help avoid embarrassing interpersonal problems- Express values and goals of the group and clarify identity

The Dynamics of Informal Groups

Norm Violation- limited research support

Role Ambiguity and Conflict

Risky Shift Phenomenon

Dysfunctions in Perspective

Sucker effect Group Size Lack of performance feedback Tasks that are not intrinsically

motivating Lack of individual assessment capability

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What do we as managers and group members do about this?

Cross-Functional Teams Between divisions Trend toward flatter organizations

Virtual Teams Sky-rocketing in use Recent Research: Next several years ¾ of the U.S.

population will spend 10 times longer per day interacting virtually.

Level of virtuality and media richness is worth considering

Self-Managed Teams Performance, Job Satisfaction, Organizational

Commitment

How to Make Teams More Effective Team Building Group Leadership Cultural/Global Issues

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Questions