GE347 – Group Dynamics
WEEK 1: INTRODUCTION TO GROUPS
AND TEAMS
MR. O’LEARY: DO_LEARY@ITT-TECH.EDU
HTTP://WWW.MROLEARYSCLASSROOM.COM
GE 347 Week 1 Objectives
 Define “Small Group Communication”
 Distinguish between groups and teams
 Discuss characteristics of effective teams
 Identify advantages and disadvantages of working in
groups and teams
 Distinguish between primary and secondary groups
 Define “Virtual Communication”
1)
Communication : the
process of acting on
information
2)
3-12 people : the
minimum and
maximum optimal
group sizes
3)
Share a common
goal: A consistent
motive or agenda for
participation
4)
Identify with the
group: Individuals
believe themselves to
be a member of the
group
5)
Exert Influence: The
essence of
“leadership” –
influencing the
actions of others
•Q: What is Small Group Communication?
A: Communication between 3-12 people
who share a common goal, identify with
the group, and exert influence on each
other.
What’s the difference between Groups and Teams?
Groups
 Goals are not consistent
or clear
 Roles and
responsibilities not
defined
 Rules and expectations
not clear
 Collaboration not
guaranteed; 1-2 members
may do bulk of work
Teams
 Goals are clear and
consistent
 Roles and
responsibilities clearly
defined
 Rules and expectations
are clear
 Members collaborate and
divide labor to achieve
goal
Characteristics of Effective Teams
 A clear and elevating goal
 Collaborative climate (not a
(something worth working
for)
 A results-driven structure
(contributing to the bottom
line)
 Competent team members
(members are skilled and
qualified to perform tasks
assigned to them)
 Unified Commitment (All
for one, one for all)
competitive one)
 Standards of excellence
(defines what is acceptable
and unacceptable in terms
of quality)
 External support and
recognition (Bosses,
managers, coaches, etc)
 Principled Leadership (all
teams need leaders)
Characteristics of Effective Team Members
 Experience (nothing can
substitute for this,
especially in technical
fields)
 Problem-Solving Ability
(it’s a common reason
groups/teams are put
together in the first
place)
 Openness (to ideas, to
others, to things “new”
and “different”)
 Supportiveness
(willingness to help
others, listen to others,
be optimistic about
others)
 Action oriented (It’s not
what you know, it’s what
you can DO)
 Positive Personal Style
(Motivated, friendly,
patient, enthusiastic)
What are ways to enhance team effectiveness?
 Clarify rules and
 Identify barriers (there will
expectations (teams
without them may succeed,
but it will always take
longer and cause more
conflict).
 Learn team members
strengths and weaknesses
(so that tasks and roles can
be properly assigned to
team members).
always be obstacles, but
you can plan ahead for
them).
 Develop a plan and put it
into action (All teams need
“playbooks” or everyone
does what they want to, not
what they need to).
 Evaluate team procedures
(to fix what needs fixing).
Pros/Cons of Working in Groups/Teams
Advantages
 Teams have more




information that
individuals
Teams stimulate creativity
Teams remember what
they discuss
Teams are more satisfied
with decision making
Members learn more
about themselves
Disadvantages
 Members may conform to
majority opinion
(Groupthink)
 Individuals may dominate
group
 Individuals may rely too
much on others
 Takes more time and $$$
(otherwise an individual
could just do it!)
When shouldn’t you collaborate?
 When there’s limited time
 When an expert has the answer
 If an answer is available from research sources
 When conflict becomes unmanageable
2 Types of Groups
Secondary Groups
Primary Groups
 Exist to fulfill basic




human need to
socialize:
Family
Friends
Peers
Church/Temple/
Mosque
 Exist to accomplish task







or achieve goal:
Problem Solving groups
Decision making groups
Study groups
Therapy groups
Committees
Quality Circles
Focus Groups
What is Virtual Communication?
 Communication among people who are not in the





same time or place
Facilitated by technology:
Telephone Conferences
Email
Video Conferences
Electronic Meeting Systems