1

Groups Dynamics and Work Teams

2

Stages of Group Development• Two models of how groups form.

– The Five-Stage Model consists of 5 stages of development• Forming• Storming• Norming• Performing• Adjourning

– This is the traditional model for understanding groups and their work

3

Stages of Group Development

• The Punctuated-Equilibrium Model– Gersick – ½ way

» Ground rules» Inertia» Work

• This model notes time as a significant factor in groups.

4

Stages of Group Development

• Note: – These two models co-exists– Any development or understanding of

teams/groups must find a way to include both models.

– When considering group work be sure to include both models

5

Group BehaviorBe sure you understand the terms

• Sociometry?– What is Sociometry?

• Analyzing Group Interaction

6

Two types of issues

• Content– Refers to the task, “what” the group is working

on• Agendas, time frames, ideas, techniques for decision

making, agreement

• Process– Refers to “how” the groups is functioning

• Climate, meeting members needs (political and relationship)

7

Group BehaviorBe sure you understand the terms

• Factors – Explaining Work Group Behavior– External Conditions Imposed on the Group– Organizational Strategy– Authority Structures– Formal Regulations– Organizational Resources– Human Resource Selection Process– Performance Evaluation & Reward System– Organizational Structure– Physical Work Setting

8

Group BehaviorBe sure you understand the terms

• Group Member Resources???– Member Knowledge– Member Skill– Member Attitudes

• Personality Characteristics

9

Group BehaviorBe sure you understand all the terms

• Group Structure– Formal Leadership– Roles– Norms– Status– Size– Composition– Cohesiveness

10

Group BehaviorBe sure you can provide meaning for these terms

• Group Decision Making– Groups vs. the Individual

– Groupthink & Groupshift

– Group Decision-Making Techniques• Nominal Group Technique• Brainstorming

11

Group Behavior Be sure you can provide meaning for these terms

• Why have Groups/Teams become so popular???

» Synergy!

12

Group BehaviorBe sure you understand the terms

• Types of Teams– Problem-Solving Teams– Self-Managed Teams– Cross-Functional Teams

13

Group BehaviorBe sure you understand the terms

• Creating High Performance Teams– Link Team material and Group concepts

• Size of Work Teams• Abilities of Members• Allocating Roles & Promoting Diversity• Commitment to a common purpose• Establishing specific goals• Leadership and struture• Social Loafing and Accountability• Performance Evaluation and Reward Systems• Develop High Mutual Trust

14

Other thoughts Thomas Kelley, GM of IDEO (innovative design cdompany)

• Don’t and Do’s of “Hot Teams”• Don’t

– Let your team become rule-bound– Be mean

• Do– Like your people– Listen to them– Make work engaging– Let them decide

15

Group Behavior

• Turning Individuals into Teams takes…..– Time– A Challenge– A Common Experience– Acceptance of diversity in KSAs

16

Group Behavior

• Contemporary Issues in Managing Teams– Teams and Total Quality Management

• Challenge of assessment of the membership

– Teams & Workforce Diversity• So many different arenas

– Reinvigorating Mature Teams• Without starting over with a new member

17

Observations about TeamsThompsom, L. L. (2003). Making the team: A guide for managers. (2nd

ed.) Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ • Teams are not always the answer• Managers fault the wrong causes for team failure

– Blame • External, uncontrollable forces (i. e., a bad economy)• People on the team (e. g., difficult personalities)• But reality – real reason

– Managerial error

• Managers fail to recognize their team-building responsibilities

18

Team Observations (2)

• Experimenting with failures leads to better teams

• Conflict among team members is not always a bad thing

• Strong leadership is not always necessary for strong teams

• Good teams can still fail under the wrong circumstances

• Retreats will not fix all the conflicts between team members

19

Finally

• Use your emotional resources with teams/groups– Accept personal feelings– Understand others feelings– Identify causes