Group dynamics and teamwork

Ian Grigor

School of Healthcare Studies

Aim
To

apply the theories concerning group dynamics and team roles to the practical environment

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Objectives
To review how successful management impacts on group dynamics and the converse situation To tease out the prime issues around team roles, including interpersonal relationships, and how they impact on managing change, in particular

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Group dynamics
What are we referring to when we talk about "Group dynamics"?

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Group dynamics
How do we define "Roles within groups/teams"?

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Group dynamics
What are the major factors that impact on the decisionmaking process and how does the effect of individuals or teams, in turn, impact on the way in which decisions are implemented?
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Group dynamics
How, for example, do we react if a former competitor joins our team?

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Group dynamics
What are the key elements that enhance group dynamics?

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Rosemary Stewart (1976, 1982)

What demands are placed on the team?; what must the team achieve and what can the team not avoid achieving without being penalised? What constraints are placed on the team?; what factors limit what the group can do e.g. political decisions, legislation, rules and formal procedures, resources etc? What opportunities for choice arise, in terms of how roles can be organised, performed (how, what, when, where etc)?

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Group formation
There are, generally speaking, two main types of groups: Formal groups Informal groups
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Group formation
How do formal groups form? (Tuckman's Integrative Model) Forming Storming Norming Performing Mourning
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Group formation
Why

do we choose to work in groups, as opposed to as individuals? When selecting a group, what members are desirable? Why might groups lack credibility under certain circumstances?
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Group formation
Required

and emergent behaviour Task, maintenance and personal behaviour

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Roles in groups

What is your preferred role in a group? What is your secondary role? What roles do work colleagues adopt, by preference? Do you recognise their secondary roles? What impact does their role-playing in groups have on your personal regard for them as work colleagues; as friends?

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Negative aspects of groups

Conformity Lack

of information or ownership Satisfaction Group thinking Political manipulation Group survival

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