Chapter 10 Enhancing Group and Team Performance

Communication Principles Be aware of your communication Appropriately adapt your message to others Effectively use and interpret verbal messages Listen and respond thoughtfully to others Effectively use and interpret nonverbal messages

Enhancing Group and Team Performance What Effective Group Members Do Structuring Group and Team Problem Solving Enhancing Group and Team Leadership Enhancing Group and Team Meetings

Research Regarding Group and Team Performance  Groups and teams come up with more creative solutions to problems than a person working alone.  Working with others in groups improves the comprehension of the ideas presented.  Group and team members are more satisfied with the conclusions and recommendations if they participated in the discussion.  Groups have more available information by tapping the experiences of group members.

Effective Group Members Functional Approach described the kinds of functions that lead to better quality solutions and decisions vigilant thinkers pay attention to the process of how problems are solved

Effective Group Members  Identify A Clear, Elevating Goal  Gather and Use Information Effectively identify the data effectively communicate information draw accurate conclusions  Develop Options  Evaluate Ideas  Develop Sensitivity Toward Others Chapter 10: Enhancing Group and Team Performance

Effective Group Members Prescriptive Approach offers a sequence of steps and techniques to help your group stay on task and remain productive a structured problem is one in which there is a single-best solution structure refers to the way a group discussion is organized interaction refers to the give-and-take discussion Chapter 10: Enhancing Group and Team Performance

Groups Need a Balance of Structure and Interaction StructureInteraction Manages the task Is achieved through a well-organized agenda One person may dominate Manages relationships and reactions to the task There is considerable give- and-take discussion There is much talk and participation from the group members

Structuring Problem Solving Step 1: Identify and Define the Problem Step 2: Analyze the Problem develop criteria force field analysis technique Step 3: Generate Possible Solutions brainstorming silent brainstorming nominal group technique

Structuring Problem Solving  Step 4: Select the Best Solution strategies to reach consensus  be goal oriented, listen, promote honest dialogue and discussion be cautious of groupthink  encourage critical thinking  don’t agree with someone just because she or he is high status  consider asking a third party to evaluate the group  assign a devil’s advocate  break into dyads and consider pros and cons Chapter 10: Enhancing Group and Team Performance

Structuring Problem Solving Step 5: Test and Implement the Solution RECAPTop Six Reasons Why Groups Make Bad Decisions No Common Goal:Group does not begin with the end in mind Analysis Paralysis:Team members over analyze unimportant details Jumping to Solutions:People propose solutions before facts are known Groupthink:Group members agree too quickly just to get on with it Topic Hopping:Lack of agenda and structure Killer Inch:Group argues over minor points

Enhancing Team Leadership  Leadership is the ability of a person to influence others.  Approaches To Leadership trait functional styles situational transformational Chapter 10: Enhancing Group and Team Performance

Approaches To Leadership Trait Approach suggests that there are certain traits that make leaders intelligence confidence social skills administrative skill physical energy enthusiasm

Approaches To Leadership  Functional Approach categorizes the essential leadership functions that need to be performed to enhance the workings of the group task functions  behaviors that help the group get the work done process functions  help maintain a harmonious group climate by encouraging amiable relationships

Approaches To Leadership Styles Approach authoritarian influence by giving orders and controlling others democratic consults with the group before issuing edicts laissez faire takes a hands-off, laid back approach to influencing

Approaches To Leadership  Situational Approach views leadership as an interactive process that links a particular style of leadership with various factors Paul Hersey and Kenneth Blanchard’s Situational Leadership Model  relationship behavior  task behavior  maturity of group members Chapter 10: Enhancing Group and Team Performance

Approaches To Leadership Transformational Approach transformational leader influences by transforming the group by giving it new vision, energizing the culture, or giving the group new structure Fundamental Skills of Transformational Leadership build a shared vision challenge existing ways of thinking be a systems thinker

Enhancing Group Meetings  Manage Meeting Structure Step 1: Determine Your Meeting Goals Step 2: Identify What Needs to be Discussed to Achieve the Goal Step 3: Organize the Agenda  an agenda is a list of the key issues, ideas, and information that will be discussed in the order of discussion

Enhancing Group Meetings Manage Meeting Interaction Use gatekeeping skills Use metadiscussion Monitor time Use structure to manage interaction

Enhancing Group Meetings  Mosvic and Nelson’s Suggestions for Meeting Participants Organize what you say Speak to the point Make one point at a time Speak clearly and forcefully Support your ideas with evidence Listen