Group Dynamics Group Dynamics The characteristics and processes that affect how a group or team functions. Elements of group dynamics: group size tasks roles leadership group development group norms group cohesiveness © Copyright McGraw-Hill. All rights reserved.

Group Dynamics SIZE Group size affects how a group performs. Why? What are the advantages of small groups? What are the advantages of large groups? © Copyright McGraw-Hill. All rights reserved.

Group Dynamics, continued TASKS Group tasks impact how a group interacts. Why? What is task interdependence? pooled sequential reciprocal © Copyright McGraw-Hill. All rights reserved.

Types of Task Interdependence © Copyright McGraw-Hill. All rights reserved. Figure 14.3

Group Dynamics, continued ROLES Tasks that a member of a group is expected to perform Creating roles: management created vs. created in a self-managed team Have you ever worked in a group where roles were not clearly defined? .. What happened? Roles will change and evolve. © Copyright McGraw-Hill. All rights reserved.

Group Dynamics, continued LEADERSHIP Formal Leaders vs. Informal Leaders Group Managers vs. Group Leaders © Copyright McGraw-Hill. All rights reserved.

Group Dynamics, continued LEADERSHIP, continued Challenges of group leaders: clearly communicate expectations motivate group members encourage initiative allow the roles of the members to change/evolve reduce “social loafing” help groups manage conflict effectively others? © Copyright McGraw-Hill. All rights reserved.

Three Ways to Reduce Social Loafing © Copyright McGraw-Hill. All rights reserved. Figure 14.7

Group Dynamics, continued GROUP DEVELOPMENT © Copyright McGraw-Hill. All rights reserved. Figure 14.4

Group Dynamics, continued GROUP NORMS Shared guidelines or rules for behavior Examples? Conformity vs. Deviance Deviance is a failure to conform to group norms © Copyright McGraw-Hill. All rights reserved.

Balancing Conformity and Deviance in Groups Figure 14.5 © Copyright McGraw-Hill. All rights reserved.

Group Dynamics, continued GROUP NORMS, continued Why do group members conform to norms? Ø obtain rewards / avoid punishments Ø imitate group members who they respect Ø believe the norm is the proper way Ø others? How does a manager encourage an appropriate balance between conformity and deviance?   © Copyright McGraw-Hill. All rights reserved.

Group Dynamics GROUP COHESIVENESS The degree to which members are loyal to the group What is the value in group cohesiveness? What contributes to group cohesiveness? © Copyright McGraw-Hill. All rights reserved.

Sources and Consequences of Group Cohesiveness © Copyright McGraw-Hill. All rights reserved. Figure 14.6

Group Dynamics Summary Elements of group dynamics: Size Tasks Roles Leadership Group development Norms Cohesiveness © Copyright McGraw-Hill. All rights reserved.