Team Dynamics and Development

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Questions and Answers

What are the potential outcomes of successfully managing conflict?

Increasing competition among parties

Avoiding conflict altogether

Reaching an equitable agreement and learning (correct)

Strengthening relationships and increasing distrust

Which characteristic of organizational culture emphasizes innovation and risk-taking?

Outcome orientation

People orientation

Innovation and risk-taking (correct)

Attention to detail

How does organizational culture impact employee behavior?

It primarily focuses on financial performance.

It promotes individualism over teamwork.

It has no real effect on behavior.

It can dictate standards for behavior and attitudes. (correct)

Which outcome is NOT typically associated with positive conflict resolution?

Increased competition Signup and view all the answers

In organizational culture, what does the term 'control' refer to?

Shaping employee actions and decisions Signup and view all the answers

How can organizational culture act as a barrier to mergers and acquisitions?

By creating pressure for conformity among employees Signup and view all the answers

What is a disadvantage of oral communication?

Distortion of the message Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of organizational culture focuses on management's attention to results over processes?

Outcome orientation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not a characteristic of the grapevine?

Controlled by management Signup and view all the answers

What is the main benefit of nonverbal communication?

It supports other communities Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following represents a barrier to effective communication?

Selective perception Signup and view all the answers

What is one consequence of information overload?

Confusion and difficulty decision making Signup and view all the answers

Which emotional state is likely to affect message interpretation?

Anger or distress Signup and view all the answers

What is a common issue with written communication?

It is time-consuming Signup and view all the answers

Which barrier involves the misinterpretation of messages due to words having different meanings?

Language differences Signup and view all the answers

What term describes the scenario when a person enthusiastically carries out a request?

Commitment Signup and view all the answers

Which type of power is considered least effective among managers?

Coercive power Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a condition for true empowerment?

Strict adherence to traditional decision-making processes Signup and view all the answers

What concept refers to the ability of employees to make decisions and commitments?

Empowerment Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following influence tactics relies on using authority to convince others?

Legitimacy Signup and view all the answers

What is a result of true empowerment for employees?

Increased control over their work Signup and view all the answers

Which power base is commonly seen as the most effective in leadership?

Expert power Signup and view all the answers

What does political behavior in organizations primarily aim to influence?

Distribution of resources Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of socialization in an organization?

To help new employees learn and adapt to the organization’s culture Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a function of communication?

Enhance productivity through multitasking Signup and view all the answers

How does upward communication differ from downward communication?

Upward communication flows from lower to higher levels in an organization. Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic is associated with rich communication channels?

Facilitating rapid feedback and managing multiple cues Signup and view all the answers

Which barrier to effective communication involves misinterpretation based on personal biases?

Selective perception Signup and view all the answers

In the context of organizational communication, what is a formal channel?

Established paths transmitting professional-related messages Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of feedback in communication?

It indicates how successful the message was in achieving understanding. Signup and view all the answers

Why can silence be considered a barrier to effective communication?

It often leads to misunderstandings or assumptions. Signup and view all the answers

What primarily motivates men to engage in conversation?

To emphasize status, power, and independence Signup and view all the answers

Which factor decreases an individual's power in a dependency relationship?

The resource being perceived as abundant Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of legitimate power?

It comes from an individual's position within a hierarchy Signup and view all the answers

Which type of power is primarily based on fear?

Coercive power Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a requirement for a resource to enhance power?

It must be easily replaceable Signup and view all the answers

What type of power is associated with unique skills or knowledge?

Expert power Signup and view all the answers

When individuals depend on others for resources, what happens to the power dynamic?

The individual providing the resource gains power Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary form of power derived from the ability to distribute valued rewards?

Reward power Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Team vs. Groups

Groups: Two or more people with a common relationship
Teams: Small number of people with complementary skills, committed to a common purpose, performance goals, and mutual accountability

Types of Teams

Self-managed teams: 10-15 people taking on responsibilities of former supervisors (planning, scheduling, assigning tasks)
Cross-functional teams: Employees from different areas working together (product development)

Team Development (5-stage model)

Forming: Leaders focus on team responsibilities
Storming: Questions arise about leadership & structure. Leaders ensure members continue learning/exercising skills
Norming: Team agrees on purpose, structure, & leadership. Leader emphasizes cooperation/responsibility
Performing: Period of productivity, achievement, and pride for the group. Members work together to complete the job
Adjourning: Teams may not progress stages linearly. Groups can return to previous stages.

Team Roles

Task roles: Enable teams to define, clarify, & pursue common goals (e.g., initiating activities, seeking information, summarizing, evaluating)
Maintenance roles: Foster support & constructive interpersonal relationships (e.g., supporting, setting standards, reducing tension)

Punctuated-Equilibrium Model

Phase 1: Initial meeting, inertia.
Transition: When the team has used half of its time, major changes.
Phase 2: Inertia, accelerated end

Conflict

Conflict: When one party perceives that another party has affected or will affect something they care about.
Functional conflict: Supports group goals/improves performance
Dysfunctional conflict: Hinders group performance.
Task conflict: Related to work content/goals
Relationship conflict: Focuses on interpersonal relations (always dysfunctional)
Process conflict: Conflict over how work is done

Conflict resolution strategies

Forcing: Imposing one’s will on the other party
Problem solving: Achieving an agreement that satisfies both parties
Avoiding: Ignoring or minimizing the conflict
Yielding: Accepting or incorporating another party's will
Compromising: Balancing self-concern with concern for the other party

Organizational Culture

System of shared meanings that distinguishes the organization from others
Guides attitudes & behaviours
Establishes standards for what employees should say/do
Conveying identity & encouraging goal alignment
Building cohesiveness, loyalty, & commitment

Characteristics of Organizational Culture

Innovation & risk-taking = Degree to which employees are encouraged to be innovative & take risks.
Attention to detail = Degree to which employees are expected to be precise & analytical.
Outcome orientation = Degree to which management focuses on results rather than techniques.
People orientation = Degree to which management considers the effect of decisions on people.
Team orientation = Degree to which work activities are organized around teams.
Aggressiveness = Degree to which people are competitive rather than collaborative.
Stability = Degree to which activities emphasize maintaining the status quo.

Communication

Nature of communication: Importance of communication, directions (downward, upward, lateral), process, channels (formal, informal), grapevine
Effective communication requires trust.
Oral communication: Speed & feedback are advantages, distortion can be a disadvantage
Written communication: Tangible & verifiable, slower, lacks feedback, difficult to observe expressions/emotions
Nonverbal communication: Supports expression/emotions, time consuming, lacks feedback.

Power & Politics

Power: A person's capacity to influence another person
Dependency: The key to power. The greater B's dependency on A, the greater A's power.
Types of individual power (5 bases): Legitimate, reward, coercive, expert, referent.
Power tactics: Ways people translate power bases into action.
Influence tactics: Different styles of negotiation

Leadership

Leadership styles: Trait theories, behavioral theories, contingency theories (Fiedler's, Hersey-Blanchard).
Transformational leadership: Transcend self-interests for organizational goals; vision, risk-taking, sensitivity, behaviours.
Transactional leadership: Guides followers towards goals by clarifying roles and tasks.
Charismatic leadership: Qualities that set leaders apart from ordinary people; vision, risk-taking, personal sensitivity, extraordinary behaviours.

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Description

Explore the differences between teams and groups, and learn about the various types of teams, including self-managed and cross-functional teams. This quiz also covers the five stages of team development, from forming to adjourning, emphasizing the importance of roles and responsibilities within a team.