Norms

1
Norms

• Norm generally agreed on informal rules that
  guide group members behavior
• Represent shared ways of viewing the world
• Are informal and unwritten
• Have profound effects on behavior

2
Norm Development

• Basis of Development Example
• 1. Precedents set over Seating locations
• time
• 2. Carryovers from Standards of conduct
• other situations
• 3. Explicit statements Thats how we do it
• from others here
• 4. Critical events Divulge org secret,
• secrecy norm develops

3
Maximizing Meeting Effectiveness

• Is a meeting the most appropriate means for
  accomplishing the purpose?
• Is work far enough along to make meeting useful?
• What level of preparation is necessary for
  everyone to ensure effective team performance?
• How to avoid long, rambling meetings?

4
Maximizing Meeting Effectiveness(continued)

• What kind of discussion do you want to have?
• - Unstructured? Brainstorming? Nominal Group
  Technique?
• How should work be allocated and reported on?
• - Change leader for each assignment?
• - Casual roles vs. tasks assigned to each?
• How to avoid groupthink and social loafing?

5
Avoiding Social Loafing

• Assign specific tasks to specific people.
• Hold people responsible for their work. Have
  everyone report to group on their progress.
• As a leader, express high expectations for
  performance.
• Rotate the role of leader.

6
Avoiding Groupthink

• All play role of critical (supportive) evaluator
• Leader does not state point of view early on
• Have subgroups or individuals develop solutions,
  compare
• Assign one person the role of devils advocate
• Hold second chance meetings allow people to
  express doubts
• Create teams diverse in background and perspective

7
Take Home Points

• Question assumptions about others behaviors
• Distinguish between isolated events and patterns
  of behavior
• Recognize the positive and negative aspects of
  the potential solutions to group conflict
• Establish effective norms to prevent problems
• Distinguish between symptoms and underlying causes