Organizational Teams Chapter 12

Overview n Preponderance of Teams n Organizational Small Groups n Characteristics of Groups n Relational Communication in Groups n Decision Making n Ethics and GDSS n Effective Teams

Preponderance of Teams n Teams, Committees, Small Groups n Decision Making n Planning n Policy Implementation n Innovation n Conflict Management

Organizational Small Groups n Three or more individuals who meet to work on a common goal n Members have a stake in the outcome n Sharp focus and coordinated efforts n Link employees to organization and increases loyalty n Identify more with team than with organization n Task teams, quality teams, self-managed teams, cross-functional teams, self-directed work teams

Common Belief... n Teams themselves, rather than managers, should take responsibility for their work, monitor their own performance, and alter their performance strategies as needed to solve problems and adapt to changing conditions (Wageman, 1997, 49). n Goal is to enhance performance!

Characteristics of Groups n Norms n Cohesiveness n Diversity n Satisfaction n Groupthink?????????????????????????? n Stress n Stuckness

Relational Communication in Groups n Make link between employee and organization stronger n Support from others to face difficult challenges n Provides leadership opportunities n New ideas can be tested before “going public” n Feel engaged, test ideas and abilities, and provide moral support!

Dysfunctional Group Relationships n Compromise decision-making procedures n Issues defined by poor relationship or weak member n Wasted energy n Exhibiting confusing behaviors n Consumed with mending relationships n Far less energy is expended accomplishing task

Decision Making n Actual productivity = potential productivity - losses due to faulty processes n Hirokawa & Gouran’s Vigilant Interaction Theory (Functional Decision Theory) n Is there something about the status quo that requires improvement or change? n What do we want to achieve or accomplish? n What are the choices available to us? n What are the positive and negative aspects of those choices? n Negative actions have a greater ability to disrupt the group’s performance

Ethics and Computer- Supported Decision Making n GDSS - “Group Decision Support Systems” n Honest and Direct Communication n Equal participation n Ability to confront conflict n Critical examination of ideas n Thoroughness of discussions n Teamwork and identification with the group n Technology should assist with organizational tasks -- NOT drive them

7 Features of Effective Teams n Clear and engaging direction n Basic work is designed to be done by a team n Team rewards are associated with team efforts n Physical resources are readily available n Team (not leader) has authority to make decisions about basic work strategies n Articulate clear goals that fit the organization’s goals (can be measured as feedback) n Establishes norms that promote strategic thinking

Eight Characteristics of High Performance Teams n n Clear, Elevating Goals n n A Results-Driven Structure n n Competent Team Members n n Unified Commitment n n Collaborative Climate n n Standards of Excellence n n External Support and Recognition n n Principled Leadership SEE FIGURE 12.2 on p. 224 for comparisonhttp://

Suggestions for Team Members n n Get involved early in the team interaction process n n Be a team player n n Bring value to the team n n Assess team needs n n Follow-up on group tasks

Suggestions for Organizations n n Three Structures Necessary for Team Success n n A reward system that both acknowledges and properly compensates members for their individual and collective effort n n A support system that provides resources to aid and enhance the efforts of group members n n Coaching and process training that show members how to use their efforts to achieve both individual and group goals.

Suggestions for Newcomers n n Learn the norms unique to each team before causing unintentional disruption n n Help the team avoid groupthink by pointing out information it may be ignoring n n Work to encourage cultural diversity in the team and be sensitive to potential misunderstandings n n Help groups avoid “stuckness” by changing the environment or changing the pattern of behaviors of other team members n n Encourage a collaborative climate to help generate a unified commitment of team members

Summary n Preponderance of Teams n Organizational Small Groups n Characteristics of Groups n Relational Communication in Groups n Decision Making n Ethics and GDSS n Effective Teams

BOTTOM LINE: Understand the general characteristics of teams, what makes them successful, and how a member can contribute to that success! Understand the general characteristics of teams, what makes them successful, and how a member can contribute to that success!