Group Dynamics for Teams

by Daniel Levi

• ISBN13: 9781412977623
• ISBN10: 1412977622
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2010-04-28
• Publisher: SAGE Publications, Inc

Summary

This clear and engaging book explains the basic psychological concepts of group dynamics with a focus on their application with teams in the workplace. Grounded in psychology research but with a very practical focus on organizational behavior issues, this book helps readers understand and participate in teams more effectively in day-to-day work.

Key Features

-Basic group dynamics concepts, such as goals, norms, cooperation, and communication examined

-Examines basic group dynamics concepts, such as goals, norms, cooperation, and communication Reviews the main challenges that teams face-such as conflict, decision making, problem solving, creativity, and valuing diversity

-Discusses the organizational context of teams-including the impacts of organizational culture, virtual teamwork, rewarding teams, and team building

-An appendix contains tools and advice to help students in project teams

-(New!)This text is appropriate for students enrolled in courses on teams or group dynamics in psychology, business, or other related fields.

"The author’s analysis is very up-to-date, for he includes chapters on very recent analyses of teams, such as questions of diversity and teams-communicating-via-computers. . . . The book’s key strength is its aim to help students and professionals better understand the groups to which they belong by reviewing key concepts in the area of groups." -Donelson R. Forsyth

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Characteristics of Teams

Understanding Teams

Learning Objectives

Defining Groups and Teams

Purposes and Types of Teams

Why Organizations Are Using Teams

History of Teams and Group Dynamics

Summary

Team Leader's Challenge 1

Activity: Groups Versus Teams

Defining Team Success

Learning Objectives

Nature of Team Success

Conditions for Team Success

Characteristics of Successful Teams

Using Teams in the Workplace

Summary

Team Leader's Challenge 2

Activity: Understanting Team Success

Processes of Teamwork

Team Beginnings

Learning Objectives

Stages of Teamwork

Group Socialization

Team Goals

Group Norms

Application: Jump-Starting Project Teams

Summary

Team Leader's Challenge 3

Survey: Attitudes Toward Teamwork

Activity: Observing Team Norms

Understanding the Basic Team Processes

Learning Objectives

Motivation

Group Cohesion

Team Roles

Task and Social Behaviors

Team Adaptation and Learning

Summary

Team Leader's Challenge 4

Activity: Observing Task and Social Behaviors

Cooperation and Competition

Learning Objectives

Teamwork as a Mixed-Motive Situation

Why Are People in Teams Competitive?

Problems With Competition

Benefits of and Problems With Cooperation

Application: Encouraging Cooperation

Summary

Team Leader's Challenge 5

Survey: Cooperative, Competitive, or Individualistic Orientation

Activity: Understanding Competitive Versus Cooperative Goals

Communication

Learning Objectives

Communication Process

Flow of a Team's Communications

Building Trust

Facilitating Team Meetings

Communication Skills for Team Meetings

Summary

Team Leader's Challenge 6

Activity: Observing Communication Patterns in a Team

Issues Teams Face

Managing Conflict

Learning Objectives

Conflict Is Normal

Sources of Conflict

Impact of Conflict

Conflict Resolution Approaches

Negotiation, Mediation, and Arbitration

Managing Team Conflicts

Summary

Team Leader's Challenge 7

Survey: Conflict Resolution Styles

Activity: Observing Conflict Resolution Styles

Power and Social Influence

Learning Objectives

Definitions of Power and Social Influence

Types of Power

Power Dynamics

Empowerment

Application: Acting Assertively

Summary

Team Leader's Challenge 8

Activity: Using Power Styles - Passive, Aggressive, and Assertive

Decision Making

Learning Objectives

Value of Group Decision Making

Approaches to Group Decision Making

Decision-Making Problems

Decision-Making Techniques

Application: Consensus Decision Making

Summary

Team Leader's Challenge 9

Activity: Consensus Decision Making

Leadership

Learning Objectives

Alternative Designs of Leadership for Teams

Approaches to Leadership

Situational Leadership Theory

Self-Managing Teams

Application: The Functional Approach to Leading Teams

Summary

Team Leader's Challenge 10

Survey: Leadership Styles

Activity: Observing the Leader's Behavior

Problem Solving

Learning Objectives

Approaches to Prolem Solving

Descriptive Approach: How Groups Solve Problems

Functional Approach: Advice on Improving Group Problem Solving

Prescriptive Approach: Rational Problem-Solving Model

Problem-Solving Teams

Application: Problem-Solving Techniques for Teams

Summary

Team Leader's Challenge 11

Activity: Using Problem-Solving Techniques

Creativity

Learning Objectives

Creativity and Its Characteristics

Individual Creativity

Group Creativity

Organizational Environment and Creativity

Application: Group Creativity Techniques

Summary

Team Leader's Challenge 12

Activity: Comparing Different Creativity Techniques

Diversity

Learning Objectives

The Nature of Diversity

Causes of Diversity Problems

Problem of Diversity

Effects of Diversity

Application: Managing Diversity

Summary

Team Leader's Challenge 13

Survey: Attitudes Toward Diversity

Activity: Understanding Gender and Status Differences in a Team

Organizational Context of Teams

Team and Organizational Culture

Learning Objectives

Team Culture

Defining Organizational Culture

Dimensions of Organizational Culture

Organizational Culture and Teamwork

Transnational Teams

Summary

Team Leader's Challenge 14

Survey: Individualism-Collectivism

Activity: Evaluating a Team's Culture

Virtual Teams

Learning Objectives

Use of Communication Technologies

Communication Impacts

Team Impacts

Selecting the Right Technology

Challenge of Virtual Teams

Summary

Team Leader's Challenge 15

Activity: Developing Netiquette for Virtual Teams

Evaluating and Rewarding Teams

Learning Objectives

Team Performance Evaluations

Reward Systems

Rewarding Individual Team Members

Team and Organizational Reward Programs

Relationship of Rewards to Types of Teams

Summary

Team Leader's Challenge 16

Survey: Individual Versus Team Rewards

Activity: Evaluating and Rewarding a Project Team

Team-Building and Team Training

Learning Objectives

What is Team-Building?

Does Your Team Need Team-Building?

Types of Team-Building Programs

Team Training

Types of Training

Summary

Team Leader's Challenge 17

Activity: Team Building

Activity: Appreciative Inquiry of Teamwork

Appendix: Guide to Student Team Projects

Starting the Team

Planning and Developing the Project

Monitoring the Project and Maintaining Teamwork

Performing Group Writing

Wrapping Up and Completing the Project

References

Index

About the Author

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