Various Stages of Group Development - Assignment Example

Team Dynamics Qn Keeping in mind your groups overall performance over the of the semester as you worked on various activities and the group projects, state whether you were a high performing, average performing or low performing group? Our team participated in many projects that highlighted the role of a team dynamics in groups and the role of each individual in a project. In line with this, we experienced instances whereby there was high inter-activity among group members, which contributed to a successful conclusion of projects while our group also had low moments during projects. Occasionally, these low moments had disastrous effects on the group’s performance since we could not achieve a lot due to the failure to employ the synergies in different members and deliver greater sum effects than idiosyncratic effects. Overall, the combination of low performed activities and activities that were highly successful makes the group’s overall performance average since we failed to achieve the best results in some projects while we achieved the best results in some other projects. As earlier explained, the failure to employ the use of synergy in a manner that was effective and efficient proved costly for our group. In this case, the time factor did not allow us to become involved in all components of the group project, and we failed to achieve the best out of each person. In this case, there were instances whereby we divided the group project among ourselves, and we failed to ask for the input of other members in the activity that each member was performing. In effect, we did not capture some of the important input that fellow members may have had since the group failed to incorporate everyone’s idea in some components of the group. Thus, we could not achieve high performance results in some projects. Conversely, every group member provided some input every time that time did not limit our group projects. In such instances, we achieved success in our performance, as we were able to utilize the ideas of each group member in all the activities. Qn. 2 Using 3 factors from the Group Behavior Model (see lecture) discuss those factors that facilitated or hindered your group. Give examples from your group to illustrate your discussion. Using the group behavior model, the first factor that hindered the performance of the group were the eternal conditions imposed on the group, especially on the key element of the organizational structure infrastructure regarding leadership roles and the rules that governed the group tasks. In line with this, we failed to outline the rules that would control the conduct of group members during projects. In effect, we failed to ensure that we utilized each member of the group in the best way possible. Conversely, leadership roles played an instrumental role in the performance. In line with this, we failed to ensure consistency in leadership since we changed leaders during each project with each leader having different capabilities to lead. Secondly, each group member had varying capabilities, and we failed to identify the capabilities at the beginning of any group project. That said, we did not make use of the potential of each member and only exploited a member’s capability in the least way that we could do. The failure to exploit the potential of each member fully ensured that our group failed to achieve the maximum success in some projects that we failed. Hence, we failed to set the parameters of what each member can do and how effective he or she could perform in the group. Finally, there is one factor that we managed to successful utilize and achieved success in some projects. In line with this, we managed to utilize personality characteristics in some of the projects that we carried out. However, this was only in instances whereby time did not limit our work as a group. Qn. 3 Discuss to what extent each of the 5 dysfunctions of teams was present in your group. Include your groups rating on the Team Assessment test from the book the 5 Dysfunctions of Teams. For dysfunction one, which is about the absence of trust in the group, our team managed to score 2 points. In this case, this implies that our team members had a good level of trust on each member of the group. In this case, we were able to trust each other and avoided issues that resulted to the absence of trust although we had some issues like members failing to recognize and use each other’s skills. For dysfunction two, which deals with fear of conflict among group members, we scored 3, which implies that team members engaged in meaningful discussion during group meetings. In addition, we were able to use time and energy meaningfully to the extent of avoiding interpersonal risk management in our group. The third dysfunction of lacking commitment had the group score two points. In line with this, it is evident that our group performed averagely. Hence, we lost opportunities that we could have utilized for the benefit of the group such as tapping the potential of each group member and using the potential for the benefit of the group. For the third dysfunction of avoiding accountability, our group scored two points. In this case, we did not fully engage in the activities of the group since we used to distribute the group’s work into different parts among the group members following the group leader’s direction. Finally, we scored three points in the fifth dysfunction of inattention to results. In line with this, it is evident that our group can improve on its weakness in order to ensure that the group achieved success in future projects. In this case, some group members would use their personal resources on behalf of the group without even asking for refunds, which means that there was a commitment to results. Qn. 4 How did your group manage the various stages of group development? Since the main characteristics of the forming stage in group development are fear, suspicion, and anxiety about the work ahead, the group leader appointed by consensus by members outlined the task ahead and calmed all members telling them of what each member was expected to do in order to achieve the success of the group. In the second stage of storming, where members exhibit resistance, arguments, defensiveness, and fluctuations in attitudes, the leaders controlled the group participation and ensured that each member was given an opportunity to present and defend his or her case in order to avoid these conflicts. In the norming stage, the group leader was able to guide the group through the first and subsequent stages in a satisfactory manner in order to achieve quality results during the norming stage whereby members became open with each other and shared critical insights. In effect, the group achieved cohesion and confidence in each other. During the performing stage, the group leader managed the group by ensuring that members provided insightful ideas about how the group performed. In addition, the leader managed to establish an environment that prevented problems among group members, which promoted better understanding of the weaknesses and strengths of group members. Finally, the group will be in the transforming stage in the near future. This stage characterized by sadness when parting and difficulty in avoidance will be tough for the group. Hence, the group leader will result to engaging interpersonal skills that managed break-ups and ensure that the closure of the group’s existence was effective. Qn. 5 Discuss what changes could be made in group design or management to make your group more effective at this stage. As earlier mentioned, the group failed to ensure that each member’s potential was effectively utilized. In line with this, it is crucial for the group to use group synergy in order to ensure that we achieved greater effect than the sum of individual efforts. However, we cannot achieve this without ensuring that the group used its time well and involved each person in the collective work. Hence, after dividing the project into sections, it will be important to hold occasional meetings that deliberated upon each element of the project. This way, the member in charge of each component will have critical feedback group members in order to develop their part in an effective and inclusive approach. Secondly, we need to ensure that the leadership roles were outlined in order to ensure that the rules that govern the organization and activities of the group were in place. This way, the rules will ensure that the group’s meetings were held in a way that promoted group participation. Since the group changed leaders depending on the task or the project it was undertaking, it is crucial for the group to have a single leader who will oversee the working of the group despite individual leaders managing individual projects. In addition, the rules set will also help us manage time in an effective way so that the group achieved a comprehensive discussion and analysis of any project. Read More