Building, Leading and Managing Teams

Question 1

What are the four types of groups

Answer 1

Formal Group
Used by organisations to carry out tasks, communicate and solve problems. often determined or constrained into departments or divisions.

Informal groups
Individuals join to meet their social and security or safety needs. Membership is normally voluntary and informal.

Reference Groups
These are groups an individual does not currently belong to but wants to join.

Self directed and autonomous groups
One that is encouraged to manage it own work and working practices

Question 2

What are the two types of work teams

Answer 2

Multiskilled teams
all members are able to carryout all of the tasks within the group

Multidisciplinary teams
bring together individuals with different specialisms so that their skills, knowledge and experience can be pooled or exchanged.

Question 3

Explain the stages of team development according to Tuckman

Answer 3

Forming
This is the initial stage where the members are a group of individuals who are unsure of their roles and the responsibilities until the manager clearly defines the initial processes and procedures for team activities.

Storming
A stage of conflict. as tasks get underway team members may try to test the managers authority and team preconceptions are challenged. conflict resolution and leadership skills are vital at this stage.

Norming
Norms are established under which the team will operate and team relationships become settled. Team procedures are refined and the manager will begin to pass control and decision-making authority to the team members.

Performing
The team is able to operate to their full potential, the team feels confident and empowered.

Dorming / Adjourning
if a team remains in the performing stage for a long time there is a danger that groupthink will occur to the extent that the group may be unaware of changing circumstances and maintaining the team becomes a primary objective. In this instance is may be necessary for the group to adjourn or be suspended.

Question 4

What are the 5 characteristics of a high performing team according to Vaill

Answer 4

Clarification of purpose and near-term objectives
Commitment to purposes
Team focused on Completing the task at hand
Clear leadership
Creativity - of inventions and new methods

Question 5

What are the 5 key aspects of a successful team according to Peters and Waterman

Answer 5

Voluntary - Members should be involved voluntarily

Action-oriented

Informal communication and unstructured.

Limited Duration - only together to achieve a particular
task

Small in size.`

Question 6

Belbin suggests a well-balanced group should contain 9 main character types. Identify and explain them

Answer 6

Co-ordinator - Delegates well. Ensures team focuses on objective.

Shaper - Promotes activity. Provides the drive to keep the team moving.

Plant - Generates original ideas.

Monitor Evaluator - Evaluates options in an impartial manner.

Resource Investigator - Find ideas from outside to bring to the team.

Implementer (Company Worker) - Drives efficiency. Dals with planning and scheduling.

Teamworker - Diffuses conflict. Concerned with relationships within the team.

Finisher (Completer) - Quality Control. Scrutinises the work of the team for errors.

Specialist - Brings in-depth specialist knowledge to solve technical problems.