8. Interacting in Teams and Groups
Understanding Groups
Three key dimensions that help us understand
different types of groups:
 Purposes: leads to the structure and
processes needed to help group members
accomplish its purpose
 Structure: how group members relate to one
another
 Time: duration of the group
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Group Development
Forming
Member recruitment and affiliation (sorority
recruitment, first general body meeting, first
floor meeting).
Storming
Clarification of goals and purpose, building
clear direction.
Norming
Establish patterns of working together,
understanding of members and key players
builds.
Performing Tasks get accomplished.
Closure and finality (transition day, award
Adjourning ceremony, end of the year banquet).
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Relational Leadership and Group
Development
Forming
Be inclusive and empowering.
Storming
Be ethical, open, patient, and
aware.
Norming
Be fair with processes.
Performing
Celebrate accomplishments.
Adjourning
Reflection of group experiences.
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Dynamics in Groups
Healthy functional roles
•
Group-building roles




•
Task roles





•
Gatekeeper
Encourager
Mediator
Follower
Information Seeker
Opinion Seeker
Opinion Giver
Summarizer
Clarifier
Dysfunctional roles
•
•
•
•
Special interest
pleader
Blocker
Clown
Nonparticipant
Active member
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Group Decision Making
Relational leadership promotes consensus
models of decision making.
 Decision making should be:

 Purposeful
 Inclusive
 Empowering
 Process-oriented

Most teams prefer to reach consensus on
critical issues.
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Teams and Groups
Teams are more than just a group of people
working together.
 Team members usually have more distinctive
roes than group members.
 Three common type of teams are:

 Functional
 Self-directed
 Cross-functional
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SMART Goals
Specific
The goal must be clear to everyone.
Measureable
It is quantifiable.
Attainable
The goal must be realistic and possible
to achieve.
Relevant
The goal is in alignment with the direction
of the organization and its overall
strategy.
Time-bound
There is a set time frame by which the
goal will be achieved.
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Team Learning
Team learning happens in dialogue with each
other and through reflection on shared
experiences.
 Dialogue and discussion are two slightly
different processes.
 Some groups mistakenly engage in
discussion in which members share their
own views with minimal attempts at true
understanding.

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Domains of Leadership Strength
Executing
Influencing
Relationship
Building
Strategic
Thinking
Achiever
Activator
Adaptability
Analytical
Arranger
Command
Developer
Context
Belief
Communication
Connectedness
Futuristic
Consistency
Competition
Empathy
Ideation
Deliberative
Maximizer
Harmony
Input
Discipline
Self-assurance
Includer
Intellection
Focus
Significance
Individualization
Learner
Responsibility
Woo
Positivity
Strategic
Restorative
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Relator
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Strength in Teams
Executing
Influencing
Allows the group Advocates for
to move closer
the team
to accomplishing
a task or goal
Helps the team
make progress
Brings plans to
for positive
action
change
Relationship
Building
Bring cohesion
to the group
Strategic
Thinking
Assists in
making longterm decisions
Establishes
relationships and Helps chart a
social capital
future direction
with group
members and
constituents
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Team Leadership
Team Performance/Purpose

Accomplishing the
group’s goals,
making decisions
and plans,
achieving results,
and solving
problems
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Team Development/
Process-oriented

Establishing effective
relationships,
creating an
environment in which
individuals feel
valued, and
facilitating cohesion
within the team
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