CM 315 G ROUP D YNAMICS AND T EAM B UILDING U NIT 4 Dr. Jules

R EADING Reading 1: Chapter 4, "The 'Work' in Teamwork: Planning the Process" Meetings are essential to communicating within a group. Although technology will limit the number of face-to-face meetings, there is a prediction that the overall number of meetings will increase as companies continue to place more responsibility for decision-making on groups or teams. Virtual organizations, virtual teams, , groupware, and videoconferencing have changed the ways that groups communicate. Whether online or on-site, meetings will continue to be necessary for groups and teams. Putting the "work" in teamwork is essential. This concept refers to the challenges faced by all groups: getting individuals together on a task; equitable distribution of work; and overcoming personal challenges.

R EADING CONTINUED Reading 2: Stages of Group Development While the process by which professional collaboration occurs may be different in each situation, there are several predictable patterns. Team development experts define four stages of progression in professional collaboration: Forming—Orientation Storming—Conflict in professional collaboration Norming—Creating cohesion in the group Performing— making decisions and solving problems

F ORMING This stage is an orientation period, in which members' commitment to professional collaboration is tentative. Many times, individuals are anxious about the professional collaboration process and the tasks that the individual and the group must complete. Productivity is low, working relationships are guarded, cautious, and noncommittal.

S TORMING In this stage, professional collaboration is strained and members grow impatient with the lack of progress. Individuals realize that professional collaboration is different and more difficult than they originally imagined. As a result, blaming, defensiveness, destructive disagreement, and confrontations occur, especially with the team leader or those trying to possess a dominant position in the group. While struggling over missions, goals, tasks, roles and responsibilities, the group makes some progress toward accomplishing the objectives.

N ORMING In this stage, professional collaboration begins to take hold. Members have discovered that they like the professional collaboration experience, the members as individuals, and the sense of belonging they are beginning to feel. Members are less dissatisfied because the major issues of mission, goals, tasks, roles, and standards are at least partially resolved. Previous disagreements transform into normal, healthy, interpersonal patterns. Competitive relationships become cooperative, close, and mutually supportive. Communication channels open and feelings of mutual trust develop. Individuals are proud to be part of professional collaboration.

P ERFORMING In this stage, professional collaboration is strong. Structured processes and procedures emerge to gather resources, resolve personal conflicts, provide feedback, and other encouragement. Members define high standards for evaluating team and individual performance. The team solves or presents problems in the professional collaboration experience. Team members are motivated by a sense of accomplishment and a sense of ownership and belonging.

R EADING CONTINUED Reading 3: Review, paying particular attention to the roles of individual group members. Read the article “Leadership and the Small Group,” by Peter Block. This article is found in the Kaplan Library electronic articles under Business Premier. Your very nice teacher also uploaded the PDF version in the doc sharing area. It’s only 6 pages – read it! You need to use the information in the 2 nd discussion question.

D ISCUSSION QUESTIONS Groupwork and organizations Discuss a time when you worked as a team member to achieve a goal that affected an organization. What was the outcome of the group decision/project and how did it impact a larger organization or system? (You may use examples from your personal or professional life to discuss the response). Sharing leadership What are some strategies identified in this week’s readings that a good leader must use to promote effectiveness in small group communication? How does the Peter Block article augment the readings in the text?

D ISCUSSION Q UESTIONS Groupwork and organizations Discuss a time when you worked as a team member to achieve a goal that affected an organization. What was the outcome of the group decision/project and how did it impact a larger organization or system? (You may use examples from your personal or professional life to discuss the response). Sharing leadership What are some strategies identified in this week’s readings that a good leader must use to promote effectiveness in small group communication? How does the Peter Block article augment the readings in the text?

S EMINAR QUESTIONS What are some techniques for encouraging participation by all group members?

S EMINAR Q UESTION In the event that someone is late on submission of a project or is not active in the group discussion threads, what would you do?

S EMINAR Q UESTION Identify some potential problems with professional collaboration. How can you use your shared leadership responsibilities to overcome challenges in the group

G ROUP P ROJECT I need an from every team leader that has the group roles and the group topic.

ROLES a. Team Leader: Participates in the discussions, makes sure all members have a role within the group, initiates and summarizes discussion, follows up to ensure tasks are being done, collates the three sections of the analysis, and sends the final group report to the instructor on or before midnight ET on Sunday. b. Analysis Writer I : Participates in the discussions, writes a draft of Introduction section of the report (one paragraph), and incorporates group feedback into the final report. c. Analysis Writer II : Participates in the discussions, writes a draft of Critical Issues of Analysis section of the report (two paragraphs), and incorporates group feedback into the final report. d. Analysis Writer III : Participates in the discussions, writes a draft of Recommendations and Conclusion section of the report (one paragraph), and incorporates group feedback into the final report. e. Reviewer : Participates in the discussions, provides feedback to the Analysis Writers by checking work for completeness and accuracy, and posts final edits to the group's folder in the group discussion area.

T HANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION No one can whistle a symphony. It takes a whole orchestra to play it. ~H.E. Luccock