Volume 1 Ch1

Question 1

What is a Group?

Answer 1

It is an assemblage of persons (or objects) located or gathered together.

Question 2

What is a Team?

Answer 2

It is a group organized to work together.

Question 3

Team Spirit is indicated by?

Answer 3

Increased productivity 
High morale during high ops tempo 
Willingness to help fellow teammates 
Strong identity/camaraderie 
Little to no negative conflict 
Differences resolved through compromise or          collaboration

Question 4

AFI 36-2618, The Enlisted Force Structure, states?

Answer 4

NCOs must, ― “Lead and develop subordinates and exercise effective followership in mission accomplishment. It goes on to say that as one prepares to become a senior NCO, they must “lead and manage teams while maintaining the highest level of readiness to ensure mission success.”

Question 5

What is a Mission?

Answer 5

A duty assigned to an individual or unit; a task.

Question 6

In relation to team roles Creators do what?

Answer 6

They focus on the possibilities. They generate new ideas and fresh concepts. They prefer to live in a world of possibilities. They are able to see the “big picture.”

Question 7

In relation to team roles Advancers do what?

Answer 7

They focus on the interaction. They communicate new ideas and carry them forward. Advancers manage the human component of any solution and enjoy whipping up enthusiasm for a project.

Question 8

In relation to team roles Refiners do what?

Answer 8

They focus on the analysis. They challenge all concepts. Refiners use a methodical process to analyze things in an orderly manner to detect possible flaws and identify potential problems under discussion.

Question 9

In relation to team roles Executors do what?

Answer 9

They focus on the realization. They follow up on team objectives and implement ideas and solutions. Executors deliver concrete results and seek successful implementations. Meticulous in following directions and completing tasks, and able to bring up problems early enough to effectively solve them.

Question 10

In relation to team roles a Flexer does what?

Answer 10

can focus on everything. They are a combination of the other four roles. Flexers have an equal preference for most or all of the roles. Able to identify what is missing in the process, and fill in the gap to allow for uninterrupted progress, and Able to connect and negotiate with all types of people.

Question 11

Describe the P.E.P. Cycle?

Answer 11

The P.E.P Cycle is a Panic-Elation-Panic cycle that occurs whenever you are in a situation that requires you to come up with new ideas (team meetings, problem solving sessions, AFSO21 events, etc.). The P.E.P. Cycle begins with the call for ideas in order to reach a specified team goal. At this point, all team members panic as they attempt to come up with ideas.

Question 12

Define Team Dynamics?

Answer 12

An ongoing process involving interaction of individuals within a team to move toward or away from achieving the desired objective.

Question 13

Define the term Ongoing Process?

Answer 13

Indicates continuous activity. Group dynamics is one in which members remain engaged in for as long as they are team members.

Question 14

Interaction of individuals is what?

Answer 14

The essence of team dynamics. You must understand that needs may vary considerably for each individual. Some may require status or elevated self-esteem; others may need power while others rely on social relationships and acceptance. However, it is through team dynamics that members satisfy these needs as they gain an identity and personal satisfaction as team members.

Question 15

Achievement of the desired objective is what?

Answer 15

It’s what separates a team from a group. Previously noted are the efforts to reach a desired result and is the real reason why the team exists in the first place. One of the greatest factors that distinguish groups from teams is what each member contributes.

Question 16

Forming Stage

Answer 16

Occurs when the team meets and starts to work together for the first time.

Question 17

Storming Stage

Answer 17

Occurs when the members within the team start to “jockey” for position and when control struggles take place.

Question 18

Norming Stage

Answer 18

Occurs when rules are finalized and accepted and when team rules start being adhered to.

Question 19

Performing Stage

Answer 19

Occurs when the team starts to produce through effective and efficient working practices.

Question 20

Adjourning & Transforming Stage

Answer 20

Occurs when a team disbands or moves on to a new task.

Question 21

What are the advantages of having a Flexer on your team?

Answer 21

Advantages: Flexers are able to: - focus on everything - adapt their styles to fit the needs of the team - view issues from multiple perspectives - monitor contributions of all team members and when necessary, step in to fill gaps in order to keep things moving in the right direction. - demonstrate equal preference for most or all of the roles

Question 22

How would you summarize the P.E.P. cycle?

Answer 22

It begins with a call for ideas and when team members come up with an idea, they move from Panic to Elation, then without encouragement they slide back to Panic.

Question 23

Why is it important to understand the P.E.P. cycle?

Answer 23

• Knowing the cycle exists allows team leaders to monitor idea generation and then, at the peak of elation, hand ideas off to the Advancer. This gives Creators (and others) the confidence to put forth additional ideas.
• Without continuous monitoring of the cycle, ideas die soon after creation because no one recognizes their importance or promotes them. In the meantime, the Refiner and Executor wait impatiently idle.

Question 24

From your reading, how would you summarize the “Z” Process?

Answer 24

Ideas often “bounce” back and forth among the Creators, Advancers, and Refiners in what’s called the “Z” process. The Creator comes up with an idea and as the Advancer begins promoting it, the Refiner begins analyzing it. The idea might go back and forth several times before the Refiner (along with the Creator and Advancer) agree the idea is ready to pass off to the Executor who has been waiting for an idea to come to fruition (realization).

Question 25

Why is it important to understand the “Z” Process?

Answer 25

• Knowing the “Z” Process allows team leaders to monitor the team’s progress and manage conflict generated from passing ideas back and forth.
• In the case of teams without a Creator (or Advancer or Refiner or Flexer) the team leader can step in and fill the gap to ensure the “Z” Process continues to work effectively.
• The “Z” Process ensures ideas are well thought out before attempting implementation

Question 26

How can you use this information on team roles, P.E.P. Cycle and the “Z” Process to help your flight?

Answer 26

• Increase team success by encouraging 
  Creators to offer ideas by catching them at the peak of the P.E.P. Cycle 
  Advancers to support and promote ideas 
  Refiners to assess ideas 
  Executers to move forward with the plan
• Ensuring ideas moves to the next role at the right time - Whenever possible, select members for my team based on their preferred roles
• Will help when coming up with a flight war cry

Question 27

How will knowledge of team roles the P.E.P. Cycle, and the “Z” Process, help you in the future?

Answer 27

• The P.E.P. Cycle helps to verify when to get involved with the team to pursue ideas
• The “Z” Process helps to identify where the team is in the development of ideas and who to engage at the appropriate time
• Assist in properly aligning the team member with the role that suits them
• All concepts will enhance team leadership abilities to maximize team productivity and success

Question 28

1. TSgt Tuckman is tasked to lead a team in identifying efficient ways of doing engine swaps. Though most of the team members already know each other, he starts the first meeting by asking each member to introduce themselves. Then, Tuckman states the team’s objective and opens it up for discussion. During the discussion, several people have disagreements. One member says, “I think the real issue is with the location.” Another member responds, “That’s not the issue! There are too many layers of inspections.” Tuckman lets it go on for a little while and then refocuses the group on the objective. After several minutes of discussion, the team identifies the problem area and then develops a plan to swap engines more efficiently.
   This scenario BEST illustrates TSgt Tuckman’s understanding of the ___________ impact on team success.
   a. Five C’s of a team and their
   b. stages of team development and their
   c. P.E.P. Cycle and its

Answer 28

a. This answer is INCORRECT. According to Team Building chapter, the Five C’s of a team are the qualities of community, cooperation, communication, coaching, and coordination, needed in making of a strong team. Although there is slight indication of communication in the scenario, there is not enough information to determine TSgt Tuckman’s understanding of the Five Cs. See rationale for correct response for additional information.
b. This answer is CORRECT. According to the Team Building chapter, stages of team development are known as the Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing, and Adjourning. It helps determine the progress of the team’s development by identifying typical events that occur during each stage and how to properly manage them. In the scenario, there are indications of the work group going through those stages (Forming: introductions and team objective; Storming: disagreements; Norming: when Tuckman refocuses the group; Performing: identifies the problem and develops a plan.) and Tuckman is helping the team move along in those stages to ensure team success.
c. This answer is INCORRECT. There is no indication in the scenario for P.E.P. Cycle which, according to the Team Building chapter, is a Panic-Elation-Panic cycle that an idea naturally goes through. There is no indication in the scenario of panic or elation. See rationale for correct response for additional information

Question 29

2. Since TSgt Bair is good at connecting and negotiating with all types of people, he was charged with improving the unit’s performance evaluation process. To help with the task, he selects unit members who are good at viewing problems from different perspectives and who are able to review solutions rationally. He also selects other members who are not inclined to let rules and boundaries discourage them.
   TSgt Bair’s understanding of _______________________ will MOST LIKELY ____________ team success.
   a. team dynamics; enhance
   b. team dynamics; degrade
   c. team roles; enhance
   d. team roles; degrade

Answer 29

a. This answer is INCORRECT. According to the chapter, team dynamics is an, “Ongoing process involving interaction of individuals within a team to move toward or away from achieving the desired objective.” There is no evidence in the scenario illustrating team dynamics. TSgt Bair is using his understanding of team roles to select his team. See rationale for correct response for additional information.
b. This answer is INCORRECT. See rationale for ‘a’ and correct response for additional information.
c. This answer is CORRECT. According to the Team Building chapter, there are roles that people find most comfortable fulfilling based on their most natural thought processes and behavioral tendencies. TSgt Bair used his understanding of team roles to pick creators, refiners, and advancers to give his team the best chance for success. Because TSgt Bair used his understanding of team roles to build his team, this will most likely enhance team success.
d. This answer is INCORRECT. TSgt Bair’s understanding of team roles will enhance, not degrade, team success. See rationale for correct response for additional information.