Considerations of TeamworkDavid Cross, Anthony Johnson, Carey Jordan, Bryant Ketchersid

OMGT 320 – Managing Group Dynamics

March 23, 2014

Overview

• Importance of Teamwork

• Types of Teams

• Critical Considerations for Self Directed Teams

• Maximizing Creativity in Teams

• Benefits and Challenges presented by Team Member Diversity

• How Leadership Style Can Impact Team Effectiveness

• Final Thoughts

Importance of Teamwork

• Effective teamwork has been responsible for great human achievement

• Teamwork can take many different shapes and styles

• Knowledge of how teams operate will increase chances of creating a cohesive team

• Managing different types of teams requires different skillsets

Types of Teams

Parallel TeamsParallel teams are teams that function in parallel

to other responsibilities. Example: A production manager who is asked to

be a part of a multi-department team to cut organization costsThis team is in addition to his regular job duties

Low degree of authority

High level of management involvement

Self-Directed Work TeamsSelf-directed teams direct and manage

themselves

Full control over decision making and resource use

All members share responsibility

Challenges:High CostsTime-consuming

Problem Solving TeamsProblem solving teams are teams that are set up

to solve a specific problem.

Sole purpose is to determine solutions

Can be long or short-term teams

Length and level of involvement depends on complexity of the problem

Very common in today’s workplace

Virtual TeamVirtual teams use technology to “meet” and

communicateExamples of technology used:

E-mailVideo ConferencingTextingCloud technology

Fastest growing type of team in business environment

Biggest challenge is developing trust

Critical Considerations for Self Directed Teams

Critical Considerations Overview

• Self directed teams require a strong group dynamic

• It is easy for these teams to go off course

• Internal personality conflicts can sink a team that has no outside control

• Decision making will take longer; groups have to build consensus

• Communication is key to group success

Personality Conflicts

• Self directed teams require the right mix of personalities

• A strong personality can make or break the team dynamic

• Balance is required to ensure the team stays on course

• Teams need a strong arbitration method to settle an internal conflict

Decision Making

• Self Directed teams have a more circular decision making process

• Most decisions need to be vetted by all team members

• Circuitous process takes more time to come to decisions

• Process is easier disrupted than in groups with vertical decision chain

Effective Group Communication

• Self Directed teams manage their own goals and processes; effective communication is necessary

• Constant feedback can be used to address most issues

• Self assessments need to be accomplished to ensure goals are being met

• Consensus is easier built if all members have the relevant information

Maximizing Creativity in Teams

What is creativity and how does it pertain to team?

Creativity in a team or group setting is a thought process that provokes change from norms to solve problems and

innovate ideas.

Tools for Maximizing Creativity

• Idea Needlers

• Manipulative verbs

• Association and Metaphors

• Analogy

Tools for Maximizing Creativity

• Idea Needlers

Tools for Maximizing Creativity

•Manipulative verbs

Modify AdaptMaximize Alter

Tools for Maximizing Creativity

•Association and Metaphors

Tools for Maximizing Creativity

•Analogy

Benefits and Challenges Presented by Team Member Diversity

Benefits

•Diversity brings new ideas and promotes creativity

•Provides a avenue to keep things fresh

•Enhances team effectiveness and accomplishments

•Promotes a value of shared life experiences

•Dispels myth of same color same mindset theory

•Contributes to a team having different perspectives

Challenges

•Creates an environment of misunderstanding

•Creates a communication barrier with team members

•Assumptions are made that people from different cultures don’t share same values

•Generalized statements become offensive language

•Slows down team effectiveness and creativity

How Leadership Style Can Impact Team Effectiveness

Three types of leadership styles:

Leader-as-Technician

Leader-as-Conductor

Leader-as-Coach

Leader as Technician

•Style used when stakes are not high or little importance

•Effective when specialized knowledge or experience is needed

•Team tends to rely on one member for answers

•Not good for issues that have a broad range of topics

•May promote a culture of team members feeling disempowered

Leader as a Conductor

•Requires a lot of trust in team members

•May lead to leaders becoming micromanagers

•Leaders may distrust people involved in execution phase

•Causes members to lose their motivation toward a project

•Sometimes done by leaders to “cover their assets”

Leader as a Coach

•Requires the most patience

•Explains and demonstrates versus ordering or cajoling

•Provides feedback to individuals vs just telling them what to do

•Promotes an environment of shared ideas and values

•Empowers team members to make their own decisions

•Focuses on positive solutions rather than problems

Final Thoughts

References

Corbell, T. (n.d.). BP crisis management, PR misfires — a Case Study.

Harris, T. E., & Sherblom, J. C. (2011). Small group and team communication. Boston: Pearson.

Jones, G. (2013). Organizational theory, design, and change. Upper Saddle River: Pearson.

Riggio, R. (2012, Oct 7). What Is charisma and charismatic leadership? Retrieved from Psychology Today