Working in Groups

Working in GroupsWorking in Teams

Characteristics of Groups

Size

Interaction

Interdependence

Duration

Identity

What Makes a Group a Team?

Clear and Inspiring Shared Goals

A Results-driven Structure

Competent Team Members

Unified Commitment

More...

What Makes a Group a Team?

continued...

Collaborative Climate

Standards of Excellence

External Support and Recognition

Principled Leadership

Types of GroupsClosed Groups >Brainstorming >Quality circles

volunteer group / problem solving / leader emerges

>Focus groups >Support groups

Self-directed Work Teams

Characteristics of Self-directed TeamsTechnical or Functional Expertise

Problem-solving or Decision-making Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Open GroupsSymposium

A meeting or conference for discussion of a topic, especially one in which the participants form an audience and make presentations

Panel discussionForum

A public meeting place for open discussion

Groups and Teams options

Face-to-face Teams

Virtual Teamswww.gotomeeting.com

Systematic Problem Solving

1. Define the Problem

2. Analyze the Problem

3. Establish Criteria for a Solution

4. Consider Possible Solutions to the Problem

5. Decide on a Solution

6. Implement the Solution

7. Follow-up on the Solution

Stages in Group Problem Solving

Orientation Phase

Conflict Phase

Emergence Phase

Reinforcement Phase

Group Leadership All groups have some form of leader –

might be laissez faire, but someone is always at some level the ‘leader.’

Without a leader and some form of communication among the members, you do not have a group.

Centralized Leadership Trait Approach

The leader exercises leadership controls based on individual characteristics

Style Approach attempts to analyze how leaders act in certain situations and what they do to attain and

maintain their leadership

Contingency Approaches or Situational Approaches -- adapt to situation

Functional Approach focus on HOW leadership occurs rather than on WHO

Leadership Emergence --Leadership emerges in three phases. First,

those who are unsuitable are eliminated. Then one potential leader is selected. Finally, there is a probationary period during which the leader must continue to demonstrate his/her skills.

Shared Power in Groups

Position Power

Coercive Power

Reward Power

Expert Power

Referent Power -- Influence over others,

acquired from being well liked or respected

by them (more)

Shared Power in Groups

continued…

Information Power

Connection Power

Functional Perspective -- views society as an organism in which each part serves a function

Decision-making Methods

Consensus

Majority Vote

Minority Decision

Expert Opinion

Authority Rule

Choosing a Decision-making Method

What Type of Decision Is Being Made? How Important Is the Decision? How Much Time Is Available? What Are the Personal Relationships

Among Members?

Recognize Both Group and Personal

Goals

Athletic Team Wants to Win Team Championship

Sales Department Wants to Meet Annual Sales Target

Retailer Wants to Expand Hours to Attract New Business

Company Wants Employee to Attend Seminar in Minneapolis

Group Goal

Recognize Both Group and Personal

Goals

Athlete wants to be star for social awards Sales representative wants to earn bonus

and receive promotions Employees want to avoid working nights

and weekends Employee wants to visit family in Minneapolis

Personal Goal

Typical Constructive (and Destructive)

Norms for Working Groups

Handle(ignore) business for co-workers who are away from their desks

Be willing (refuse) to admit your mistakes

Occasional time off from work for personal reasons is (isn’t) okay, as long as the absence won’t harm the company

Typical Constructive (and Destructive)

Norms for Working Groups

continued...

Do (don’t) be willing to work overtime without complaining when big, important deadlines approach

Say so (keep quiet) if you disagree. Don’t (do) hint or go behind others’ backs.

Factors that Promote Optimal Level of Cohesiveness

Shared or Compatible Goals Progress Toward Goals Shared Norms or Values Minimal Feelings of Threat Among Members Interdependence Among Members Competition Form Outside the Group Shared Group Experiences

Avoid Excess Conformity

Groupthink * Risky Shift

Illusion That the Group Is Invulnerable

Tendency to Rationalize or Discount Negative Information

Willingness to Ignore Ethical or Moral Consequences of the Group’s Decision

Stereotyped Views of Other Groups

Group Pressure to Conform

Avoid Excess Conformity

Groupthink * Risky Shift

continued…

Self-censorship Illusion of Unanimity “Mindguards” Against Threatening Information

-- a member of the group who, in an attempt to preserve the central group idea, omits any information which may cause doubts to arise within the group

Groupthink is defined as “A strong concurrence-seeking tendency that interferes with effective group decision making” (Forsyth)

Encourage Creativity

Conduct a Warm-up Session

Generate Possible Solutions

Eliminate Duplicate Ideas

Evaluate Ideas

Task function in groups

Information giverOffers facts, relevant evidence

Information seekerAsks others for information

Opinion GiverOpinion Seeker(more)

Task function in groups

Starter ‘let’s get moving’SummarizerDiagnoser assesses group behavior “We

spend a lot of time...”Energizer invigorates, enthuses

GatekeeperReality tester “could we really plan a

carnival in 3 weeks?”

Social / relational functions

Participation encouragerHarmonizer -- mediates conflicts

Tension reliever Praise giverEmpathic listener -- listen w/o evaluating

All functional roles

Dysfunctional rolesBlockerAttackerRecognition-seekerJokerWithdrawer

Group decision making 1...

Recommend how to spend $50,000 for TAMU-Commerce to improve its recruiting efforts to area high schools

Must come up with specific budgetMust show how it will be effective use

of moneyMust show how it will be received

Other group decision making...

Group makes recommendations for how to improve communication between administration and students

Group makes recommendations for how to improve student life