2. Layout
• Characteristics of work teams
• Approaches to working in groups and teams
• Problem-solving Communication
• Effective Communication in groups and teams
4. Definition
• Small collection of people
• Interdependent
• Interact with one another
• Usually face-to-face
• Common goal
5. Characteristics
• Size
– Ideally 5-7 people
– If larger: anonymity, lack of commitment, domination
– If smaller: Lack of intellectual resources
• Interaction – exchange info
• Interdependence – e.g. workers in a restaurant
• Duration – develop standards over time
• Goal directedness
– concern with problem solving and decision making
7. Centralized Leadership
• Trait Approach
– common traits necessary for leader’s effectiveness
• Physical attractiveness, desire for leadership, intelligence, etc.
• Style Approach
– Leader must choose style to increase effectiveness
• Authoritarian, democratic, laissez-faire
– Leadership grid – concern for people, concern for task
• Contingency Approach - flexibility
– Task oriented vs. relationship oriented
– Life-cycle theory
8. Self-directed Work Teams
• Groups responsible for managing own work
• Do not have to go through chain of command
• Useful for complex tasks, less value for simple
repetitive tasks
• Characteristics/personal qualities
– Technical or functional expertise
– Problem-solving and decision-making skills
– Interpersonal skills
9. • Types of power of self-directed-team
members
– Legitimate
– Coercive
– Reward
– Expert
– Referent
– Information
– Connection
10. Leadership Emergence
• Leader chosen by members
• Don’t always have official titles
• Selected by method of residue
• If you are interested:
– Participate early and often
– Demonstrate your confidence
– Don’t push too hard
12. Systematic Problem-solving
• Reflective-thinking approach
– Define the problem
– Analyze the problem
– Establish criteria for solution
– Consider possible solutions
– Decide on a solution
– Implement
– Follow-up
14. Decision-making Methods
• Ways:
– Consensus
– Majority vote
– Minority decision
– Expert opinion
– Authority rule
• How to choose:
– What type of decision is being made?
– How important is the decision?
– How much time is available?
– What are the personal relationships among members?
15. Effective Communication in G. & T.
1. Recognize both group and personal goals
2. Promote desirable norms
– Create desirable norms early
– Comply with established norms wherever possible
3. Make sure all necessary functional roles are
filled
16. 5. Promote an optimal level of cohesiveness
– Shared or compatible goals
– Progress toward goals
– Shared norms or values
– Minimal feelings of threat among members
– Interdependence among members
– Competition from outside the group
– Shared group experiences
6. Avoid excessive conformity
7. Encourage creativity - brainstorm
– Conduct a warm-up session
– Generate possible solutions
– Eliminate duplicate ideas
