Game Rules Build a pyramid out of the plastic cups. You cannot touch the cups with any part of your body, even if a cup falls on the floor. You have 5 minutes to complete this task.

Group Dynamics How the West was won… by people in groups of two or more… who worked together intensely to achieve a common objective. Granted, they probably wouldn’t have phrased it quite that way… they were cowboys, not management majors, and so they probably would have described it using the words “posse” and “pardner” and assorted other cowboyisms. B U T W E D I G R E S S...

Three Components of Good Team Building Group Size: Is Bigger Better? Group Size: Is Bigger Better? Group Tasks: Depending on the Other Guy Group Tasks: Depending on the Other Guy Group Roles: Performance Expectations Group Roles: Performance Expectations All of these components are essential to building a productive, successful team.

Group Size: Is Bigger Better? “What is the secret to a great team? Think small. Ideally, your team should have 7 to 9 people. If you have more than 15 or 20, you’re dead.” - Ray Oglethorpe President, AOL Technologies Groups should contain no more members than the task requires. Groups should contain no more members than the task requires.

Implications of Large Groups Pros More resources to achieve the goal. More resources to achieve the goal. Knowledge Knowledge Experience Experience Skills Skills Time/Effort Time/Effort Also allows for division of labor Also allows for division of labor Cons Problems of communication and coordination Low levels of motivation, satisfaction, and commitment

Implications of Small Groups Pros Improves interaction within the group Improves interaction within the group Workers are more motivated, committed, and satisfied Workers are more motivated, committed, and satisfied Share information more easily Share information more easily Workers are able to better see their contributions to the group’s success Workers are able to better see their contributions to the group’s success Cons Fewer people = fewer ideas Potential for too much responsibility to be placed on too few people Increased potential for personality conflicts

Group Tasks The type of tasks that a group is to perform determines the appropriate size of that group. The type of tasks that a group is to perform determines the appropriate size of that group. Be aware of the degree of influence one member’s work has upon the work performed by other members. Be aware of the degree of influence one member’s work has upon the work performed by other members. Birdseye Corporation shows the importance of assigning tasks based on workers’ strengths. Birdseye Corporation shows the importance of assigning tasks based on workers’ strengths.

Group Roles “The achievements of an organization are the results of the combined efforts of each individual.” - Vince Lombardi, Former Coach, Notre Dame Football Former Coach, Notre Dame Football A group role is the set of behaviors and tasks that a member of a group is expected to perform based on their position in the group. A group role is the set of behaviors and tasks that a member of a group is expected to perform based on their position in the group.

What Were the Three Components Again? Group Size Group Size Group Tasks Group Tasks Group Roles Group Roles

Discussion Questions How were the three components of team building interrelated? How were the three components of team building interrelated? Why was teamwork so important in this activity? Why was teamwork so important in this activity? What components that we discussed were needed to perform this activity? What components that we discussed were needed to perform this activity?

Discussion Questions How did the size of your group affect your group’s performance? How did the size of your group affect your group’s performance? How did the size of your group affect your individual role in that group? How did the size of your group affect your individual role in that group?

Discussion Questions Did your group accomplish the task? What group factors influenced your success or failure? Did your group accomplish the task? What group factors influenced your success or failure? How would you apply what you learned in this game to a real-world management situation? How would you apply what you learned in this game to a real-world management situation?