Evolution of the Group/Team over the Term
Group Dynamics
Group Structure, Leadership, and Communication
Intra-group Conflict
Korn-Ferry Assessments
Peer Evaluation
Summary and Lessons Learned
The significance of teamwork in today's workplace cannot be overemphasized. With workplace tasks becoming increasingly complex, teamwork tends to facilitate faster task execution and an atmosphere of inclusion. Based on concepts and theories learned throughout the course as well as Korn-Ferry assessments, this paper provides my own reflection of the Group Consulting Project experience. The group project involved conducting the OB process for Nova Southeastern University College of Pharmacy. The reflection particularly focuses on how the group evolved over the term, dynamics that occurred between group members and within the group, conflict management, as well as group structure, leadership, and communication.
Evolution of the Group/Team over the Term
Tuckman's group development model demonstrates that groups develop in four major stages: forming (establishment of the group and defining its purpose); storming (conflict and competition emerges); norming (cohesion is reached); and performing (high productivity) (Margerison, 2003). These stages were particularly evident during the group project. At first, most members were quite new to each other in the sense that they had not interacted much before. Some members even did not know other members by name. The first meeting, therefore, involved knowing one another. Evidently, some members were quite reluctant to provide more details about themselves. This is not unusual as the first stage of group development is often characterized by anxiety and uncertainty (Margerison, 2003). The first meeting also involved conveying the purpose of the group, allocation of roles, discussion of key milestones, and establishment of team rules. For me, storming and norming were the most interesting stages. By the third meeting, the group was already behaving like a cohesive unit. Most members had a solid grasp of their roles and exhibited less anxiety during meetings. The group stayed at this stage for the rest of the term. Even so, we successfully achieved the milestones and objectives we specified at the beginning of the project.
Group Dynamics
Group theory shows that...
Adding conflict and competition to that precarious situation can be difficult, but is an important part of workplace group dynamics. However, conflict and competition can be both positive and negative components within a group dynamic situation. Jehn and Mannix (2001) discuss intragroup conflict and performance in their Academy of Management article, finding consistent results that implied the important nature of some conflict within workplace groups. The researchers found that
Group Dynamics Discuss the functions of formal and informal groups. How does each contribute to the organization? with examples Formal groups are organizations that have a fixed set of rules, structure and have procedures that leave little room for interpretation, and must be followed. As well, they have status symbol, limit activities of individuals in the group, set objectives and policies and coordination between people. They have rules that are readily observable
Leadership In considering leadership, Curtis (1995) suggests a number of optimal characteristics that are desirable in any group setup, whether formal or informal. An effective leader has certain responsibilities and concomitant traits that are important in performing his or her duties. Responsibilities for example include honesty, establishing trust, being a role model, adaptability, decision-making, motivation, and being sensitive to the needs of other group members. In leading a group, meeting these
The internal processes become more efficient because barriers in personal communication are broken down once the group is working towards the common purpose. Increasing cohesiveness in the group requires leadership that orients the objectives of group members more strongly towards the common purpose. This can be done a number of ways, including through individual and group task structure, the fostering of a common culture, the establishment of smooth communication
Group dynamics in such an environment produce psychological and energy changes "fuelled by the underlying forces of motivation and anxiety"(Tyson, p.47). Stacey (1998) maintains that study of group dynamics in an educational setting is important because group interaction is seen as a "interaction is a "critical variable in learning and cognitive development" (1990 p.43 in Stacey, 1998, p.77) specifically in the "socio-emotional variables of group interaction, including motivation, satisfaction and
Yet the film ends on an optimistic, even triumphant note, with the raised hand of Bender symbolizing victory over the stereotypes subject to which the characters began the film. Conclusion The film "The Breakfast Club" contains myriad examples of group dynamics at play. Doing a close reading of the film was valuable in that it provided insight into how narratives can be shaped by psychological principles. In dissecting the actions of
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