Factors Affecting Group Development

Group Norms Acceptable standards of behaviour considered appropriate Vary from group to group Leader: Strives to understand norms Ensures that group exerts pressure on members to comply with norms Deviation from norms Leader interprets and makes recommendations for positive change Other members punish or correct

Group Size Effect of size varies depending on the purpose and goals Smaller groups make decisions quickly Less discussion Larger groups bring forth more opinions Takes longer for decision making

Leadership Dimensions Low Relationship/Low task Low Relationship/High task High Relationship/Low task High Relationship/ High Task

High Relationship/Low Task Works Best in forming stage when faced with strict deadline Leader ensures that group is: Working on the task and Moving quickly through the forming, storming and norming stages Relationships important to ensure cohesion and complete task on time

High Relationship/High Task Almost through the storming stage Leader is working with the group on the task as well as building relationships within the group

Low Relationship/High Task Moving out of the storming stage Leader works diligently on the task while the group works through the norming stage of development The task has a timeline that must be met Relationship at a point where members have established their roles and can focus on the tasks

Low Relationship/Low task In the performing stage Leader now offers advice when needed Group essentially functions on its own Group members work well together and understand the implications of the task deadline May need leader to steo

Leader’s Behaviours Task Behaviours Relationship Behaviours Not only exhibited by the leader, but by the group members if the leader relinquishes control

Task Behaviours Help keep the group on track and moving towards completing the task at hand Include the following: Initiator- generates new ideas and suggests solutions Elaborator-expands on existing ideas and may restate ideas Summarizer-pulls ideas together and ensures consensus Recorder- records details for current and future progress Time keeper- makes sure the group observes the time limits and deadlines

Relationship behaviours Keep individuals within the group feeling wanted and valuable Following roles and behaviours: Encourager-makes everyone feel important Gate keeper- ensures everyone’s opportunity to contribute Mediator – helps keep harmony by suggesting compromises Custodian – checks to ensure that the group doesn’t violate values Blocker – opposes others’ ideas and gets off topic Joker – is centre of attention and makes fun of others’ ideas Dominator – imposes his own ideas at the expense of others Hidden agenda – fulfills her own personal gains Dependent – depends on others for ideas and opinions

Group Cohesiveness The degree to which individual members are attracted to a group and each other Varies between groups Linked to the group’s overall productivity Recommendations for developing cohesiveness: Smaller size More time spent together “Buying into” the group’s goals Physical isolation Highlight valued status Reward the group members equally Encourage competition with other work groups

Group composition Heterogeneous groups: Composed of dissimilar individuals Promotes group conflict More likely to have diverse information and abilities Improved decision making and task completion For team building each personality colour should be represented Depending on the reason for the group’s existence more or less members of a particular colour can be included

Preselected Groups Groups existing prior to the appointment of the leader Leader needs to make this work Determine which group members possess which strengths and then promote these Assign tasks to suit each person

Group Decision Making Process

Individual decision making Advantages: Fast Clearer accountability More consistent decision When the decision is relatively unimportant and doesn’t require members’ input for success When all the information required is available

Group decision making Almost always superior over individual decisions Advantages: More complete information knowledge Higher quality decisions Group consensus is the optimum Less efficient because they use up more time and resources to come to an ultimate decision

Groupthink Desire for consensus overrides the best possible viewpoint for solving problems Symptoms include: Rationalizing resistance Pressuring of hesitant members Those who question the group opinion remain silent Silence is interpreted as “yes” Leads to poor decision making

Brainstorming Overcoming pressures to conformity and generating ideas or alternatives Members “freewheel” as many suggestions and alternatives as possible No criticism is allowed Every alternative is recorded Each individual in the group silently and independently ranks different ideas presented The final group decision = solution with the highest aggregate rating