Week 1: INTRODUCTION TO Groups and Teams

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GE347 Group Dynamics

• Week 1 INTRODUCTION TO Groups and Teams
• Mr. OLeary DO_Leary_at_itt-tech.edu
• http//www.mrolearysclassroom.com

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GE 347 Week 1 Objectives

• Define Small Group Communication
• Distinguish between groups and teams
• Discuss characteristics of effective teams
• Identify advantages and disadvantages of working
  in groups and teams
• Distinguish between primary and secondary groups
• Define Virtual Communication

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Q What is Small Group Communication?A
Communication between 3-12 people who share a
common goal, identify with the group, and exert
influence on each other.

1. Communication the process of acting on
   information
2. 3-12 people the minimum and maximum optimal
   group sizes
3. Share a common goal A consistent motive or
   agenda for participation
4. Identify with the group Individuals believe
   themselves to be a member of the group
5. Exert Influence The essence of leadership
   influencing the actions of others

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Whats the difference between Groups and Teams?

• Teams

• Groups

• Goals are not consistent or clear
• Roles and responsibilities not defined
• Rules and expectations not clear
• Collaboration not guaranteed 1-2 members may do
  bulk of work

• Goals are clear and consistent
• Roles and responsibilities clearly defined
• Rules and expectations are clear
• Members collaborate and divide labor to achieve
  goal

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Characteristics of Effective Teams

• A clear and elevating goal (something worth
  working for)
• A results-driven structure (contributing to the
  bottom line)
• Competent team members (members are skilled and
  qualified to perform tasks assigned to them)
• Unified Commitment (All for one, one for all)

• Collaborative climate (not a competitive one)
• Standards of excellence (defines what is
  acceptable and unacceptable in terms of quality)
• External support and recognition (Bosses,
  managers, coaches, etc)
• Principled Leadership (all teams need leaders)

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Characteristics of Effective Team Members

• Experience (nothing can substitute for this,
  especially in technical fields)
• Problem-Solving Ability (its a common reason
  groups/teams are put together in the first place)
• Openness (to ideas, to others, to things new
  and different)

• Supportiveness (willingness to help others,
  listen to others, be optimistic about others)
• Action oriented (Its not what you know, its
  what you can DO)
• Positive Personal Style (Motivated, friendly,
  patient, enthusiastic)

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What are ways to enhance team effectiveness?

• Clarify rules and expectations (teams without
  them may succeed, but it will always take longer
  and cause more conflict).
• Learn team members strengths and weaknesses (so
  that tasks and roles can be properly assigned to
  team members).

• Identify barriers (there will always be
  obstacles, but you can plan ahead for them).
• Develop a plan and put it into action (All teams
  need playbooks or everyone does what they want
  to, not what they need to).
• Evaluate team procedures (to fix what needs
  fixing).

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Pros/Cons of Working in Groups/Teams

• Advantages

• Disadvantages

• Teams have more information that individuals
• Teams stimulate creativity
• Teams remember what they discuss
• Teams are more satisfied with decision making
• Members learn more about themselves

• Members may conform to majority opinion
  (Groupthink)
• Individuals may dominate group
• Individuals may rely too much on others
• Takes more time and (otherwise an individual
  could just do it!)

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When shouldnt you collaborate?

• When theres limited time
• When an expert has the answer
• If an answer is available from research sources
• When conflict becomes unmanageable

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2 Types of Groups

• Primary Groups

• Secondary Groups

• Exist to fulfill basic human need to socialize
• Family
• Friends
• Peers
• Church/Temple/ Mosque

• Exist to accomplish task or achieve goal
• Problem Solving groups
• Decision making groups
• Study groups
• Therapy groups
• Committees
• Quality Circles
• Focus Groups

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What is Virtual Communication?

• Communication among people who are not in the
  same time or place
• Facilitated by technology
• Telephone Conferences
• Email
• Video Conferences
• Electronic Meeting Systems