How Teams Work

Task and Maintenance Needs  Task Activities – Any activity a team member does that contributes to the group’s performance purpose.  Maintenance Activities – Any action taken by a team member that supports the emotional life of the group.  The team leader is usually going to handle these, but these activities should be shared by everyone.

Task and Maintenance Needs  What are some Task Activities we can think of? Task activities Initiating -Elaborating -Information sharing -Opinion giving -Summarizing Maintenance activities Gatekeeping -Following -Encouraging -Harmonizing -Reducing Tension Team leaders should avoid disruptive activities Being Aggressive -Competing -Blocking -Withdrawal -Self-confessing -Horsing around -Seeking sympathy -Seeking recognition

Communication Networks  Communication is Key!  Decentralized communication network – Everyone can talk to everyone at any time.  Centralized Communication network – There is a “center point” or “hub” that everyone has to report to.

Decision-making in Teams TThere are 6 ways that teams can make decisions. LLack of response – No evaluation is done. Options are listed, but not discussed. AAuthority rule – Leader makes the decision. MMinority rule – Small number of people in the team dominate discussion and “railroad” the team. MMajority rule – Polling or voting finds the majority view. CConsensus – Like majority rule, but discussions are better, everyone feels heard and they get a say. UUnanimity – All members agree.

Positives and Negatives of Group Decisions  Good leaders VARY decision-making methods depending on the situation.  Leaders must know the good and the bad effects of group decisions.

Positives and Negatives of Group Decisions  Positives  More information, knowledge, and expertise is available for problems.  Expand alternatives, open up options.  Increases understanding and acceptance by members.  Commitment by the members is increased.

Positives and Negatives of Group Decisions  Negatives  Pressure to conform.  Individuals might feel intimidated or feel like they have to go along with others.  Might be minority domination.  Takes a lot of time.

Asch Conformity Experiment  37% of test subjects in that experiment went along with the wrong answers even if they did not believe them to be true.  The video The video

 Sometimes, a group that is too close is a bad thing.  Sometimes, people do things they do not want to do because it could ruin the team’s cohesion. Groupthink is the tendency for highly cohesive teams to lose their ability to evaluate.  If there is loyalty amongst members, there is the chance that criticism does not happen.  Here is how we spot when groupthink could be happening. Groupthink

 Team feels “invulnerable” – “Nothing can happen to us…we are too good.”  “Rationalizing” unpleasant or uncomfortable data – “Members do not accept data that goes against what they already believe, or do not consider other options.  Belief in group morality – Members think the group is always right.  Stereotyping competitors as weak, evil, or stupid.  Applying pressure to conform  Self-censorship – Personal concerns are not mentioned.  Illusions of unanimity – Members think there is consensus without testing it.  Mind-guarding – Members “protect” the team from hearing other views or disturbing ideas.

Groupthink

 Groupthink Failure Groupthink Failure  The meeting The meeting

How to AVOID Groupthink  We must:  Encourage every member to be critical and free to share views.  Do not seem to favour one option; leave meetings to allow discussion without you.  Create “sub teams” to work on the same problems then get them to share their solutions.  Let members talk about issues with people outside the team.  Invite outside experts to evaluate the members and the activities.  Create a “devil’s advocate” with a different person at each meeting.  Have a review meeting after consensus is reached.

Creativity in Team Decision-Making  Creativity is one of the benefits of creating teams. How do we achieve this creativity?  We want to create ideas.  1. No criticism is allowed (Nothing is stupid)  2. The wilder the idea the better.  3. Quantity is important. (Better chance of finding a good idea if there are a lot).  4.Building on other’s ideas is encouraged.

Creativity in Team Decision-Making  This is a much more structured discussion.  Leaders ask members to work alone and come up with their own possible solutions.  These ideas are passed around with criticism or discussion.  Discussion happens once everyone has seen them all.  A written vote happens.

Success Factors in Teams  High-performance teams usually share the following:  A CLEAR and elevating goal.  A task-driven and results-oriented structure.  Competent and committed members who work hard.  A collaborative climate.  High standards of excellence.  External support and recognition,  Strong, principled leadership.

Team Leadership Challenges  Successful leaders Establish a clear vision of the future.  They aim to create change.  They want to unleash talent.  Teams are hard work but worth it. You have to create a climate where members know what to expect and what is expected.  “Hiring for raw talent is not enough. You have to build leaders…you should always work to replace yourself.