TEAM WORK FINAL EXAM STUDY GUIDE
Griffith, B. A., & Dunham, E. B. (2014). Working in Teams: Moving From High Potential to High
Performance. SAGE Publications, Inc.
Note: this is a textbook exam.
Final Exam:
Tuesday, April 4, 2023, 5:30 – 8 pm
You are allowed one double sided 8 ½ by 11 Cheat Sheet
Exam format:
10-Multiple Choice Question (20 marks)
Scoring Breakdown:
 10 marks for selecting the correct answers
 10 marks for providing explanations for your chosen answers
 1 question per chapter
10 Discussion Questions (3 marks each)
Scoring Breakdown:
 3 marks for each correct answer
 List of potential questions at the end of the book
 1 question per chapter
1 Bonus Question – a reflective question based on your experience working in your team (be
sure to review Tuckman’s model of teamwork or Lencioni’s Five Dysfunctions of a Team to
answer the question.
STUDY GUIDE FOR THE ENTIRE EXAM:
CHAPTER 1:
1.
What are teams?
2.
What are effective teams?
3.
How do we create effective teams?
4.
What is the difference between an effective team and a high-performing team?
5.
What are some examples of high-performing team models?
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6.
Are teams always the answer?
PRACTICE QUIZ AND FLASH CARDS:
https://studysites.sagepub.com/griffith/study/chapter.htm
CHAPTER 2
1.
Explain the difference between task roles, relationship roles, and individual roles.
2. Discuss the importance of rituals with respect to corporations such as Walmart, Southwest
Airlines, and Starbucks.
3. Describe the three types of interdependence in groups: pooled interdependence,
sequential interdependence, and reciprocal interdependence. Give an example of each.
4.
Describe Stevens and Campion’s five types of skills associated with ideal team members.
5. Describe the strengths and weaknesses of a large versus a small team. How do you know
how many members to place on a new team?
6. Explain the importance of introductions and facilitating a successful launch. How do these
contribute to a shared vision?
PRACTICE QUIZ AND FLASH CARDS:
https://studysites.sagepub.com/griffith/study/chapter.htm
CHAPTER 3
1. In order to assess the socio-emotional environment of a group, an observer might as a
question such as “do members seem to enjoy working together? Name two more questions you
might ask?
2. Explain the difference between descriptive norms and injunctive norms. Describe the four
ways norms can develop.
3. Group members can be classified into one of four social styles. Name and describe each of
the styles.
4.
Describe the interpersonal circumflex and two dimensions associated with it.
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5. Describe the six types of interpersonal challenges identified by the Inventory Interpersonal
Problems.
6. Sources of conflict can be found in any of the four distinct levels. Name and describe the
levels and give a personal example of each.
7.
Name and describe the five conflict styles. Which is the most ideal, and why?
8. Explain how information-sharing, group identity, and competition may help facilitate group
cohesion.
PRACTICE QUIZ AND FLASH CARDS:
https://studysites.sagepub.com/griffith/study/chapter.htm
CHAPTER 4
1. Over the last century, the dynamic between managers and workers has changed. Describe
those changes and discuss how those changes have affected teams.
2.
Describe French and Raven’s five bases of power and give an example of each.
3.
Describe the three influence tactics you think are most effective for team leaders.
4. Describe the four leadership styles within the situational leadership model. Give an
example of each.
5. Discuss the difference between transactional leadership and transformational leadership.
What are the outcomes of each?
6.
What are the five practices of effective leaders? Name and describe each.
7.
How do most effective leaders establish credibility?
8. What are the four components of successful persuasion? Create a hypothetical case study
in which a team leader is trying to get members more committed to the team.
PRACTICE QUIZ AND FLASH CARDS:
https://studysites.sagepub.com/griffith/study/chapter.htm
CHAPTER 5
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LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
1. Name and describe the eight GDOS categories of verbal communication. Give an example
of each.
2.
Compare and contrast verbal versus nonverbal communication.
3. What impact does nonverbal communication have on a conversation? What are some
examples of nonverbal cues?
4. Name and describe the SOLER acronym? What is the communication strategy designed to
do?
5. Recall a time when you either misunderstood a message or were misunderstood in a group
atmosphere. What were the repercussions?
6. What are the three skills of active listening? How can you apply these skills in group
situations?
7.
Describe the difference between advocacy and inquiry. Create three examples of each.
8. What are the benefits and challenges of virtual teams? As a leader, how would you address
some of the inherent challenges?
PRACTICE QUIZ AND FLASH CARDS:
https://studysites.sagepub.com/griffith/study/chapter.htm
CHAPTER 6
1. Explain the Ladder of Inference. How does it help us understand the potential problems in
processing information?
2. Name the seven common decision-making problems presented in the chapter and give a
real-life example of three.
3. What are the four stages of the functional model of decision-making? Briefly describe the
importance of each. Recall a time when you observed this process in action.
4.
Gladwell (2002) identifies three types of influential people. Name and describe them.
5. Pheffer (1002) identifies a practical, seven-step model for applying power dynamics in
groups and organizations. What are the seven steps?
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6. Describe the experiment that Asch (1956) conducted with college students. What do the
results tell us about group dynamics and decision-making?
7.
Name and describe the three major influences on group decision-making.
PRACTICE QUIZ AND FLASH CARDS:
https://studysites.sagepub.com/griffith/study/chapter.htm
CHAPTER 7
1.
Name and describe the four ways to think divergently according to Guildford.
2.
Describe how divergent and convergent thinking styles affect the process of creativity.
3.
Describe the four characteristics of creative people and give an example of each.
4.
What are the four characteristics of successful brainstorming discovered by Osborn?
5.
Create a hypothetical group meeting that uses an effective brainstorming strategy.
PRACTICE QUIZ AND FLASH CARDS:
https://studysites.sagepub.com/griffith/study/chapter.htm
CHAPTER 8
1.
Give three examples of visible diversity and three examples of nonvisible diversity.
2. List the various ways people are different from one another. What do people do to fit into
the dominant culture, and what do they do to stand out from it?
3.
What are the seven differentiating factors that distinguish cultures?
4.
What are the three benefits of diversity? Three challenges?
5.
Describe three cognitive or task-related outcomes of diversity. Why is this so?
6.
Describe three affective or relational outcomes of diversity. Why is this so?
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7. In order to leverage differences among members, Davidson suggests that teams must first
see, then understand, and finally, value those differences. Describe how a team leader might
facilitate the process.
PRACTICE QUIZ AND FLASH CARDS:
https://studysites.sagepub.com/griffith/study/chapter.htm
CHAPTER 9
1.
2.
What challenges might a leader face if members do not share a clear understanding of
the mission or purpose of the team?
Define SMART and BHAG goals and discuss their similarities and differences.
3. What are the benefits and drawbacks of giving teams more autonomy and freedom when
defining goals?
4. Describe social loafing and identify specific things that a team member can do to prevent
it?
5.
Explain the importance of self-assessment and feedback when working in a group.
6. Compare and contrast the DAPEE model of project management with the FOCUS model of
project management.
7. The FOCUS model of project management highlights the importance of organizing the
team. What are some of the specific things that need to be done to ensure an organized effort?
PRACTICE QUIZ AND FLASH CARDS:
https://studysites.sagepub.com/griffith/study/chapter.htm
CHAPTER 10
1.
What is the key to using data effectively to help team performance?
2. What is the difference between task assessment and interpersonal assessment? What
specific things can be done to assess a team in each area?
3. What are the five dysfunctions of a team as identified by Lencioni? Provide a description
and an example of each.
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4.
How can each of these dysfunctions be fixed? Be specific.
5.
What are the three types of team learning? Explain each.
6.
What are the change agents and what do they do?
7.
What are the paradoxes teams must manage? How can these paradoxes be managed?
PRACTICE QUIZ AND FLASH CARDS:
https://studysites.sagepub.com/griffith/study/chapter.htm
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
Note: I will select one question per chapter on the final exam.
Each question is worth three marks.
Point form is fine.
CHAPTER ONE
1. In your opinion, how does the diversity of team members influence a team's overall
effectiveness and creativity, and why?
2. How can the balance between individual autonomy and group collaboration be
managed to ensure high-performing teams? Provide examples to support your opinion.
3. Based on your experience or observations, what are the most critical factors that
contribute to the success of high-performing teams, and why do you believe these
factors are essential?
CHAPTER TWO
1. . In your opinion, which type of role (task, relationship, or individual) significantly
impacts a team's success, and why do you think this is the case? Provide examples to
support your view.
2. Considering the rituals of corporations like Walmart, Southwest Airlines, and Starbucks,
how do you think these rituals influence company culture and employee engagement?
Do you believe they are effective in fostering a positive work environment? Explain your
reasoning.
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3. In your view, which type of interdependence (pooled, sequential, or reciprocal) is most
effective in promoting collaboration and high performance within a team? Justify your
choice with examples and potential benefits or drawbacks.
CHAPTER 3
1. What are the most critical factors contributing to a positive socio-emotional
environment within a team? Explain your reasoning and provide examples of how these
factors can be encouraged in a group setting.
2. Considering the difference between descriptive norms and injunctive norms, which type
do you believe has a more significant influence on group behaviour and performance?
Explain your view with examples and discuss the potential implications of every kind of
the norm in a team setting.
3. Of the four social styles (analytical, amiable, driver, and expressive), which type do you
think is most advantageous for a team leader to possess? Provide your rationale and
discuss the potential benefits and challenges associated with each style in a leadership
role.
CHAPTER 4
1. How have the changes in the dynamic between managers and workers over the last
century affected how teams function and collaborate? Discuss these changes' positive
and negative impacts on teamwork and overall organizational performance.
2. Among French and Raven's five bases of power, which are the most effective for team
leaders in fostering collaboration and achieving team goals? Explain your choice and
provide examples of how this type of power could be used in different team settings.
3. You are considering the four leadership styles within the situational leadership model;
which is most effective in today's rapidly changing work environment? Discuss why you
chose this style and provide examples of how it can be successfully applied in different
team scenarios.
CHAPTER 5
1. Which of the eight GDOS categories of verbal communication is most critical for
maintaining effective team communication and why? Provide examples and explain how
this category could impact group dynamics and performance.
2. Considering the impact of nonverbal communication on a conversation, which holds
more significance in a team setting: verbal or nonverbal communication? Explain your
reasoning and provide examples of how each type of communication can influence
group interactions and outcomes.
3. As a leader, how would you address the challenges associated with virtual teams to
ensure effective communication and collaboration? Discuss specific strategies or tools
you would implement to overcome these challenges and promote a thriving virtual
team environment.
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CHAPTER 6
1. How can understand the Ladder of Inference helps team members avoid potential
problems when processing information and making decisions? Discuss the benefits of
being aware of this concept in a team setting.
2. Out of the seven common decision-making problems in the chapter, which poses the
most significant challenge for teams in real-life situations? Explain your choice and
provide potential solutions for overcoming this problem.
3. Reflect on a personal experience where you observed the functional decision-making
model in action. In your opinion, which stage was the most critical for ensuring the
success of the decision-making process? Discuss the importance of this stage and how it
influenced the overall outcome.
CHAPTER 7
1. Which of Guilford's four ways of divergent thinking is the most crucial for fostering
creativity in a team setting? Explain your choice and discuss how this aspect can
enhance the team's problem-solving capabilities.
2. How can the balance between divergent and convergent thinking styles be maintained
within a team to maximize creativity and decision-making effectiveness? Share your
thoughts on how groups can encourage both thinking styles in various situations.
3. Considering the four characteristics of creative people, which character do you believe
has the most significant impact on a team's overall success and innovation? Explain your
reasoning and how teams can nurture this trait among their members.
CHAPTER 8
1. In your opinion, which aspect of diversity (visible or non-visible) has a more significant
impact on team dynamics and performance? Explain your reasoning and discuss how
teams can address and leverage these differences to foster a more inclusive
environment.
2. Considering the seven differentiating factors that distinguish cultures, which element do
you believe has the most substantial influence on cross-cultural team collaboration?
Provide your reasoning and discuss strategies that can be employed to bridge these
cultural differences within a team setting.
3. Reflecting on the benefits and challenges of diversity, how can a team balance be
leveraging the advantages of diversity while addressing its potential challenges? Share
your thoughts on best practices for promoting inclusivity and managing diverse team
dynamics effectively.
CHAPTER 9
1. In your opinion, which leadership strategies can be most effective in clarifying the
mission and purpose of a team when members lack a shared understanding? Share your
thoughts on how leaders can foster a sense of purpose and unity within a diverse group.
2. Considering both SMART and BHAG goals, which approach is more suitable for
promoting innovation and long-term success in a team setting? Discuss your reasoning
and provide examples to support your argument.
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3. Reflecting on the balance between autonomy and structure in goal-setting, how can
leaders strike an optimal balance to promote individual creativity and collective
progress? Share your thoughts on best practices for balancing freedom and
accountability within a team setting.
CHAPTER 10:
1. In your opinion, what factors contribute to the effective use of data in enhancing team
performance? Discuss the role of data interpretation, communication, and decisionmaking in leveraging data-driven insights for performance improvement.
2. Reflect on the differences between task and interpersonal assessments in the context of
team evaluations. In your view, which aspects are crucial to consider when assessing a
team in each area? Share your thoughts on the importance of balancing both types of
assessments for overall team success.
3. Considering Lencioni's five dysfunctions of a team, which dysfunction do you believe has
the most significant impact on a team's performance? Discuss potential strategies to
address and overcome this specific dysfunction, and share your thoughts on how these
strategies can contribute to a healthier team dynamic.
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