GROUP
DYNAMICS
S. SELCIA – IT B
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WHAT IS GROUP DYNAMICS?
The term "group dynamics" describes the way in which people in a group interact with
one another.
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When dynamics are positive, the group works well together.
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When dynamics are poor, the group's effectiveness is reduced.
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The more organized a group is, the more cooperative and effective it is; it further boosts morale and
increases productivity
TWO TYPES OF GROUP DYNAMICS
1. Formal Group Dynamics
2. Informal Group Dynamics
Let’s see more about the types of Group Dynamics
1. FORMAL GROUP DYNAMICS
1. The purpose of a formal group is to perform tasks and meet specific targets.
2. Formal group members are required to work with each other for a certain period of time.
3. Group formation isn’t always a smooth process because not everyone can build rapport immediately.
4. Its group dynamics highly depends on the leader, how they manage the team and delegate responsibilities.
5. But continuous communication and collaboration encourage members to increase personal interactions, improving
group efficiency.
2. INFORMAL GROUP DYNAMICS
1. Informal groups are a result of socio-psychological forces that encourage people to interact and engage with
each other.
2. Informal group dynamics are tricky to navigate because there aren’t any rules or regulations governing a group.
3. We form them organically as we find like-minded people we can connect with.
4. We simply enjoy others’ company and develop a genuine liking.
5. Moreover, personal differences are more likely to manifest because informal groups aren’t very stable.
PRINCIPLES OF GROUP DYNAMICS
1. PRINCIPLE OF BELONGINGNESS
People in a group should have a strong sense of belonging if they want to
communicate and collaborate for effective teamwork.
2. PRINCIPLE OF PERCEPTION
If you want to implement a change in your group, you need to create a common
perception among people that will make them accept the change with greater ease.
If everyone is on the same page, it becomes easier to execute decisions.
3. PRINCIPLE OF CONFORMITY
If everyone is on the same page, it becomes easier to execute decisions. Group
members need to conform to group norms and respect the essential rules that govern the
group.
4. PRINCIPLE OF CHANGE
Changes are constant in a group. To effectively bring about changes and
implement them, your group needs to be well-coordinated and informed. A coordinated
group is better prepared to deal with change.
5. PRINCIPLE OF COMMON MOTIVES
All the operations are geared towards achieving common targets. You need to be
on the same page as everybody else, otherwise, conflicts are likely to arise.
6. PRINCIPLE OF POWER
For example, there is a new inner circle at the office and all the easy-going
people are in it. An outsider is likely to be attracted by such a group because it exerts a
certain kind of influence. The greater the power of a group, the greater its influence over
its members and others.
It isn’t easy to build effective teams but here are three habits you should adopt and practice.
1. ALIGNMENT ON PLANS
Everyone is aware of the expectations and their responsibilities, which helps them
process in the right direction. Alignment on plans and goals creates a strong team dynamic.
Start by writing down your plans and communicate the progress regularly.
2. TRANSPARENCY ON PROGRESS
You need to prepare your team for all sorts of risks and surprises. Be transparent about
your team’s progress and share weekly updates with everyone. This way, no one will be thrown
off and you can deal with problems in a more cohesive manner. Make sure that you
communicate well and encourage everyone else to communicate too.
3. ACCOUNTABILITY FOR RESULTS
A team that trusts each other grows together. If you want to strengthen your team
dynamic, promote a culture of faith and interdependence. Communicate the need for
accountability and encourage the ‘sink and swim together’ attitude. Everyone is responsible for
their own and others’ actions.
IMPORTANCE OF GROUP DYNAMICS
1. Understanding how groups form, develop and interact
GROWTH
can help companies understand how to best organize
and communicate with groups of people. A company
can be creative and innovative if the group dynamics of
MOTIVATION
PRODUCTIVITY
the team are responsible for innovation.
2. Managers with skills and knowledge about group
dynamics can build groups into high-performance
IMPORTANCE OF
TEAM DYNAMICS
teams and help these teams develop strategies for
solving problems and resolving conflict.
COMMUNICATION
CREATIVITY
3. Understanding group dynamics can have value when
looking at the way people work together, live together,
and play together. This knowledge can then be used in
the makeup of project teams, in understanding
COMMITMENT
decision-making behavior as well as in predicting group
outcomes.