|
|
|
|
|
Manage and Enhance Group Effectiveness
|
|
|
INTRODUCTION Groups are an important fact of organizational life. The strength of an integrated group is always greater than the aggregate might of the individuals forming part of it. This is termed as "synergy". Whether Groups are formal groups or informal groups; the hope is that productivity, creativity, and results will be greater in a group environment. You may have a group of people who are each good performers in their own right. However, when they get on the same group, the whole is not as effective and productive as the sum of their parts. There are a lot of factors can cause this. There could be personality conflicts. There could be lack of communication. Or there could be poor work process. As a manager, what should you do when confront these issues? Effective teams can dramatically improve productivity, increase employee involvement, improve morale and enhance creativity. This essay will discuss the key elements for managing and enhancing group effectiveness with group dynamics. Group effectiveness - The extent to which a group accomplishes the goals it sets for itself. Group dynamics - The forces operating in groups that affect group performance and member satisfaction. Stage of group development Groups generally pass through a standardized sequence in their evolution. Forming In the Forming stage, members cautiously explore the boundaries of acceptable group behaviour. This is a stage of transition from individual to member status, it completes when members begin to think themselves as part of a group. There will be difficulty in identifying some of the relevant problems. Because there is so much going on to distract members' attention in the beginning, the team accomplishes little, if anything, that concerns its project goals. This is perfectly normal. Storming As members accept the group then they will feel the constraints impose on themselves. All members have their own ideas as to how the process should look. Storming is probably the most difficult stage for the group. Members argue about just what actions the group should take. They try to rely solely on their personal and professional experience, and resist collaborating with most of the other group members. During this stage group members have little energy to spend on progressing towards the group's goal. But they are beginning to understand one another. As this stage complete, there will be a clear hierarchy of leadership within group. Norming During this stage, members reconcile competing loyalties and responsibilities. They accept the group, group rules, their roles in the group, and the individuality of fellow members. Emotional conflict is reduced as previously competitive relationships become more cooperative. As team members begin to work out their differences, they now have more time and energy to work for the goal. Performing The structure at this point is fully functional and acceptable. Team members have discovered and accepted each other's strengths and weakness, and learned what their roles are. Group energy has move from getting to know to perform the task. To this stage, the group is an effective, cohesive unit. A manager can tell when a group has reached this stage because there starts getting a lot of work done. What is an effective group? The success of organizations as complex networks of interlocking groups depends on how these groups perform. Like individual, groups must be success for the organization to prosper over the long run. But just what does it mean a ˇ°goodˇ± group? This question is important to any manager who cares build up an effective group. The figure above shows that there are two outputs from group activity cycle: The achievement of objectives set (on time, acceptable quality standards, within budget) Member satisfaction (recognition of effort by other group members and organization, encouragement in their efforts) It imply that effectiveness should be measured against both of these criteria.
|
|
|
|
Still Can't Find What Your Looking For? Then Try a Essay Search!
|
