Groupwork Flashcards
WHAT IS A TEAM?
- Shared goals
- Mutual commitment, reliance and interdependency
- Complex, adaptable and multifaceted communication strategies
- Established and shared norms
- Understanding of roles * Clear action plans * Adaptability and contingency plans
GROUP DYNAMICS
Group dynamics describe the PROCESSES of group work:
* Agreeing to a set of norms (ideal and expected behaviour)
* Communication strategies
* Defining and fulfilling roles in a group
* The creation and recognition of shared and common goals
* How teams develop
* Managing conflict
NORMS
Norms are the agreements and understandings established to regulate the behaviour of group members:
* The expectations of all the members of the group
* Allow prediction of behaviour of each group member
* To be effective, norms can’t be imposed – must be accepted by all
* Need to be enforced
* Reward conforming behaviour/punish nonconforming behaviour
WHAT ARE IDEAL GROUP NORMS?
- Treat each other with dignity and respect.
- Listen first to understand, and don’t be dismissive of the input received when you listen.
- Problems are presented in a way that promotes mutual discussion and resolution.
- You must own the whole implementation of the task, not just your little piece; recognize that you are
part of something larger than yourself. Be responsible to own the whole picture. - If you commit to doing something—do it. Be accountable and responsible for the team and to the
team. - Promise to come prepared for your meetings and projects so that you demonstrate value and respect
for the time and convenience of others.
COMMUNICATING IN GROUPS
- The size of the group
- The nature of the discussion (it is controversial?)
- The context of the discussion (what are you talking about?)
- The personalities of the group members (dominant, passive, co-operative…)
- The emotions (angry, enthusiastic, tired, intimidated, bored….)
- Language (first or other language, colloquialisms, jargon…)
- Turn taking (is everyone talking at once, or interrupting….)
- Physical environment (busy, noisy, uncomfortable, distractions, at the pub…)
TEAM DEVELOPMENT AND
DYNAMICS
- Every team is different
- Different purpose
- Different people
- Different context
- We cannot make absolute generalisations about teams, but there are a few ways we can
examine team development and dynamics: - Roles in teams (Myers-Briggs Personality Type Indicator)
- Team Development model (Tuckman)
- Managing conflict
ROLES IN A TEAM
In a traditional team, members take on specific roles based on:
* Task and required outcomes
* Position within the organisation/group
* Skills/expertise/experience
* Self assignment
* Assignment by others
MBTI
- The theory is based on four basic aspects of human personality
- How we interact with the world
- How we take in information
- How we make decisions
- How we prefer to live: structured or spontaneous
- Our ‘type’ is not fixed, and can be affected by many factors
- All ‘types’ are equally valuable
- The MBPTI is often used, but not well regarded.
HOW DO YOU INTERACT WITH THE WORLD?
(E OR I)
EXTROVERT (E)
* Enthusiastic communication
* Meet people easily
* Recharged by parties
* Easily distracted
* Prefer to be center of attention
INTROVERT (I)
* Regulated communication
* Meet people cautiously
* Recharged by being alone
* Easily focused
* Prefer less attention
HOW DO YOU TAKE IN INFORMATION?
(S OR N)
SENSING (S)
* Learn through step-by-step methods
* Tend to be specific, literal
* Learn by imitation, observation
* Rely on facts
* Prefers predictable relationships
INTUITUVE (N)
* Value imagination, inspiration, and
innovation
* More general; use metaphors, analogies
* Learn through concepts
* Rely on hunches
* Enjoys change in relationships
HOW DO YOU MAKE DECISIONS?
(T OR F)
THINKING (T)
* Desires truth
* Make decisions using your head
* Feelings are valid if logical
* Question others – they might be wrong
* Tolerate queries as to my emotional state
FEELING (F)
* Desires harmony
* Make decisions using heart
* All feelings are valid
* Agree with others – they’re worth hearing
* Appreciate queries as to my emotional
state
HOW DO YOU PREFER TO LIVE (AS IN LIFESTYLE)?
(J OR P)
JUDGING (J)
* Enjoy finishing things
* Prefer making decisions
* Dislike surprises
* See time as finite; deadlines important
* Desires organization
PERCEIVING (P)
* Enjoy starting things
* Prefer options open
* Enjoy surprises
* See time as renewable, deadlines elastic
* Desires spontaneity
TEAM DEVELOPMENT MODEL (TUCKMAN)
Tuckman, B. W. (1964). Personality structure, group composition, and group functioning. Sociometry, 469-487.
NAME THE 4 STAGES OF TEAM DEVELOPMENT
- FORMING
- STORMING
- NORMING
- PERFORMING
Describe the 4 stages of team development
- FORMING: Team members:»_space; meet»_space; learn about the task»_space; learn what their roles are
- STORMING: Team members:»_space; learn to work together»_space; learn members abilities»_space; leader focuses team
- NORMING: Team members:»_space; work and act together»_space; roles evolve to help team success»_space; more likely to express opinions
- PERFORMING: Team members:»_space; work hard towards goal»_space; flexible and help each other»_space; leader’s role blurred; everyone focused
