Management of Work Groups

• Where can groups and teams be found in an organization?

  Everywhere in an organization
• What are employees usually placed in?

  Work teams or work groups
• Name two examples of work teams.

  Task forces and committees
• What are the advantages of work groups?

  • Increased individual performance
  • Better work quality
  • Lesser absenteeism
  • Improved employee engagement
  • Reduction in employee turnover
• What defines a work group?

  Two or more people with common interests, objectives, and continuing interaction
• How can a group be brought together?

  By a particular purpose
• What is a team defined as?

  A group of people with complementary skills committed to a common mission
• What is the relationship between team members?

  Members are interdependent
• What are the key differences between a group and a team?

  **Group:**

  • Does not share a common goal
  • Roles not assigned to individuals
  • Members are independent
  • May not know all members

  
  

  **Team:**

  • Shares a common goal
  • Specific tasks assigned to each member
  • Members are interdependent
  • Usually aware of their members
• What are formal groups?

  Official or assigned groups gathered to perform various tasks
• What is a committee?

  A formal group formed by appointing specialists for special assignments
• What is a task group?

  Individuals with different skills to carry out an assigned project
• What is a command group?

  Made up of superiors and their subordinates representing the flow of command
• What are informal groups?

  Unofficial groups that evolve to meet member needs not met by formal groups
• What is a friendship group?

  Formed as a result of personal choice by familiar individuals
• What is an interest group?

  Individuals who join for a common purpose
• What is a clique?

  A small group of 2 to 8 members sharing mutual interests
• What is a key determinant of group performance?

  Group interaction
• What should managers do to avoid miscommunications?

  Communicate directly and transparently
• Why should managers offer a clear vision?

  To avoid getting sidetracked from original goals
• What should managers encourage among group members?

  Group collaboration
• What should managers provide to their teams?

  Constructive feedback and recognition
• What are the characteristics of a well-functioning, effective group?

  • Relaxed, comfortable atmosphere
  • Task is well understood & accepted
  • Members listen well & participate
  • People express feelings & ideas
  • Conflicts center around ideas, not people
  • Awareness of group operation and function
  • Consensus decision-making
  • Clear assignments made and accepted
• What are the benefits of group work?

  • Builds essential skills
  • Enhances communication
  • Improves conflict management
  • Aids in problem solving
  • Facilitates project management
• Why is communication considered a vital skill for employees?

  It shapes how you work with others
• What are hard skills?

  Technical skills and knowledge gained through experience
• Why is listening a vital skill in the workplace?

  It provides key information for finding solutions
• How can good communication benefit employees?

  It can lead to new career opportunities and growth
• What happens when employees do not work together?

  They are stuck on problems with unknown solutions
• How can colleagues help each other in a group environment?

  By generating new ideas for solutions to conflicts
• What can groups utilize when facing challenges?

  Their varied learnings to produce multiple solutions
• How does group work affect productivity?

  It boosts productivity for the whole organization
• What is group composition?

  The kind of individuals that make a group
• What is the difference between heterogeneous and homogeneous group composition?

  Heterogeneous groups have diverse individuals, while homogeneous groups have similar individuals
• What is group cohesiveness?

  The degree and strength of interpersonal attraction among members
• What motivates a high degree of cohesion in a group?

  Loyalty and compliance with group standards
• What factors influence the extent of group cohesiveness?

  The compatibility of individual goals with group goals
• What are the two levels of group communications?

  Communication between group members and from management to the group
• Why should open communication be encouraged among group members?

  To learn how each other communicates
• What is the recommended group size for complex problems requiring high-quality decisions?

  7 to 12 members