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Conflict and team dynamics
Conflict and team dynamics
Team dynamics and resolving conflict
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Group cohesiveness versus group thinking within the workplace Majority of the time, group thinking has falsely been assumed to be similar to group cohesiveness. Cohesiveness defines the ability of the group to work together through challenges, providing alternative avenues with which to progress. According to Holman and Devane (2009) therefore the goal of group cohesiveness is not simply to work together but rather to reach the intended goals of the group. Conflict though frowned upon is also considered to be part of progress. Individuals are encouraged to provide alternative plans and ideas which are directed at ensuring the group meets its goals in the right time frame and with the use of available resources. Therefore, group cohesiveness …show more content…
As human nature dictates, we are almost always inclined towards conformity. Rather, group thinking is all about rationalized conformity where the philosophy and norms of the group are not only considered good but the only way in which to do things. It seems therefore that group thinking encourages dominant cohesiveness so that it supersedes the rational and natural ability of the individuals within the group to seek and analyze alternative paths of decision making. Robbins (2009) analyses research conducted by Irving Janis on the American soldier where he studied the effects of danger and high levels of stress on group cohesiveness. The results of this study showed that in such cases, level of cohesiveness developed through fear remained high. Janis also studies a number of American disasters in an aim to show the effects of external threat to group cohesiveness. He found that disasters such as the attack of Pearl Harbor could easily have been avoided is the policy makers had not developed group thinking. Group thinking disallowed and negated the probability of creative and individual alternative thoughts. Where alternative …show more content…
The perfect team is often seen as a team that lacks conflict and that enjoys a high level of togetherness. Lack of conflict in itself can only be achieved if the same group individuals do not generate conflicting or different ideas from each other. Turner and Pratkins (2003) in his research found that the current organization is so inclined towards teamwork that it is included as part of the measurements in a worker’s performance record. Team work surprisingly within the organization is defined as the ability to work with others in harmony. In doing so, the organization itself develops a dynamic form of group cohesiveness. Managers are tested on their ability to maintain and provide the organization within groups that work together uniquely, so much so that there is little conflict to be heard from the same group. The question remains therefore, is teamwork in the current organization a form of encouraging group thinking? Aldag and Fuller (1998) believe that this form of teamwork in itself provides a unique censorship of an individual’s thoughts. Individual thoughts which alter and question the thoughts of the majority are often considered grounds of conflict which in turn degrade and decrease the performance of the individual. The organization therefore trains its workers to develop uniformity in place of creativity and alternative thinking patterns. Members who do not immediately conform are considered
Turman, P. (October 13, 2000b). Group Decision Making & Problem Solving: Group Communication [Lecture] Cedar Falls, IA. University of Northern Iowa, Communication Studies Department.
An effective team typically develops through several stages. Tuckman and Jensen developed a model for how teams should develop that includes five stages: forming, storming, norming, performing and adjourning (as cited in Martin ,2006 and Fulk, Bell,& Bodie ,2011). In forming, the first stage in team development, team members are introduced to the team’s purpose and goals(Martin, 2006 ; Fulk et al. ,2011). Fulk et al. (2011) explain that members are usually motivated and excited about working together to accomplish the specific goal, but they point out that interactions among team members can be affected by uncertainty about purpose, anxiety, mistrust ,and reluctance to share ideas and opinions. Nevertheless, despite such uncertainties, team members usually avoid conflict and move on to the next stage, storming(Fulk et al.,2011). Unlike the forming stage, the storming stage is marked by conflict (Martin...
In 1972, Irving Janis presented a set of hypothesis that he extracted from observing small groups performing problem solving tasks; he collectively referred to these hypotheses as groupthink¹. He defined groupthink as “a quick and easy way to refer to a mode of thinking that people engage in when they are deeply involved in a cohesive in-group, when the members’ striving for unanimity override their motivation to realistically appraise alternative courses of action²” A successful group brings varied ideas, collective knowledge, and focus on the task at hand. The importance of groups is to accomplish tasks that individuals can not do on their own. The Bay of Pigs, Watergate, and the Challenger disaster are all forms of failure within a group. Specifically, you can see the effect of groupthink of Americans before September 11, 2001. The thought of harm to the United States was unfathomable, but only after the attacks did they realize they were not invincible. When a solid, highly cohesive group is only concerned with maintaining agreement, they fail to see their alternatives and any other available options. When a group experiences groupthink, they may feel uninterested about a task, don't feel like they will be successful, and the group members do not challenge ideas. Stress is also a factor in the failure of groupthink. An effective group needs to have clear goals, trust, accountability, support, and training. Some indicators that groupthink may be happening are; making unethical decisions, they think they are never wrong, close-minded about situations, and ignore important information. Many things can be done to prevent groupthink from happening. One way is to make each person in the group a “critical evaluator”. The leader must ...
According to former American Businessman, Henry Ford, he describes working as a team as, “Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.” When working with a group there will always be struggles and roadblocks that could lead your group to any form of success. However, it takes a successful group leader who is able to keep the group working together to reach the common goal as working as one. This paper will demonstrate the integration and understanding of group dynamics and structure. I have selected the Delta Alpha Pi Honor Society to discuss the following five main principles in each group: the purpose of the group, the individuals and their roles of the group, the structure and the norms that
There are eight symptoms of groupthink. The first symptom is when all or most of the group view themselves as invincible which causes them to make decisions that may be risky. The group has an enormous amount of confidence and authority in their decisions as well as in themselves. They see themselves collectively better in all ways than any other group and they believe the event will go well not because of what it is, but because they are involved. The second symptom is the belief of the group that they are moral and upstanding, which leads the group to ignore the ethical or moral consequences of the decisions. The group engages in a total overestimation of its morality. There is never any question that the group is not doing the right thing, they just act. The disregarding of information or warnings that may lead to changes in past policy is the third symptom. Even if there is considerable evidence against their standpoint, they see no problems with their plan. Stereotyping of enemy leaders or others as weak or stupid is the fourth symptom. This symptom leads to close-mindedness to other individuals and their opinions. The fifth symptom is the self-censorship of an individual causing him to overlook his doubts. A group member basically keeps his mouth shut so the group can continue in harmony. Symptom number six refers to the illusion of unanimity; going along with the majority, and the assumption that silence signifies consent. Sometimes a group member who questions the rightness of the goals is pressured by others into concurring or agreeing, this is symptom number seven. The last symptom is the members that set themselves up as a buffer to protect the group from adverse information that may destroy their shared contentment regarding the group’s ...
Many people believe they are their own person and are free to make their own choices; however, few explore just how much a group can influence their behavior. This realm of influential group power has been analyzed by several psychologist to see how far people will bend to stay within a group mentality. Psychologists Asch, Zimbardo, McEwan, and Lessing defined a group mind as a mass of people who ignore their own morals and conscious to act as one whole entity because of obedience and pressure. As a result, this creates the potential for the group to become a destructively dangerous force.
As the processes and systems used in business have become more complex, teams, not individuals, have become popular in many organizations. Teams are made up of individuals from an organization brought together to solve a problem, improve a process or implement a new process. “A major advantage that a team has over an individual is its diversity of resources and ideas” (Burns, 1995, p. 52). However, this diversity can cause conflict within the team. The success of the team is strongly influenced by the team’s ability to recognize the causes of, manage and resolve conflict.
People work in groups or teams everyday whether in their career, education, political organization, church, or any other social setting. Conflict while working in teams or groups is inevitable. When taking people of different backgrounds, personalities, moral, and ethical beliefs and putting them together in a group, conflict will arise. The key to achieving your team goals is to construct and conquer your goals with keeping the greater good of the team in mind. Conflict as it arises should be combated and abated through swift and thorough resolution techniques. When dealt with properly conflict resolution can give rise to a cohesive and productive team.
A group can only be called a team if the members are actively working together toward a common goal. A team must have the capability to set goals, make decisions, solve problems, and share responsibilities. For a team to be successful, trust must be earned between its members by being consistent and reliable (Temme & Katzel, 2005). When more than one person is working on a particular task, inconsistent views or opinions commonly arise. People come from different backgrounds and live through different life experiences therefore, even when working towards a common goal, they will not always see eye to eye. Major conflict that is not dealt with can devastate a team or organization (Make Conflict Work, 2008). In some situations, conflict can be more constructive than destructive. Recognizing the difference between conflict that is constructive to the team and conflict that is destructive to the team is important. Trying to prevent the conflict is not always the best way to manage conflict when working within a team setting. Understanding conflict, what causes it, and how to resolve conflict effectively, should consume full concentration.
Groupthink is the psychological phenomenon in which groups working on a task think along the same lines which could have drastic results. It is the result of group polarization where discussions are enhance or exaggerate the initial leanings of the group. Therefore, if a group leans towards risky situation at the beginning of the discussion on average they will move toward an even riskier position. (Marks, 2015). The idea when everyone think the same no one is really thinking. The drastic outcomes result from people trying to avoid conflict with one another, being highly cohesive, and results is questionable decision making (Oliver, 2013). Houghton Mifflin publication of Victims of Groupthink: A Psychological Study of Foreign-Policy Decisions
Organizations use teamwork because it increases productivity. This concept was used in corporations as early as the 1920s, but it has become increasingly important in recent years as employ...
Working in groups is challenging at times. Other times it is very rewarding. We are so focused on life that we do not take time to reflect on things as much as we should. Being in a Groups class has opened my eyes to a whole new world. I have begun to question, explore, and even understand how things work. I even get how they work sometimes. Not only is there a process involved in making individual decisions, process is involved in group decisions as well. This paper attempts give insight into my reflection of my group decision process.
Many of the talents and skills they regularly use on a daily basis will transfer to the project tasks that they may to be assigned.
Lastly, the reflection back is very important to the corrective emotional experience. What I found useful about group cohesiveness is knowing that you are never alone at first; the members feel alone, but they are others who have gone through the same things they have. Group cohesiveness gives members a sense that they belong and are welcomed. The group members are initially very supportive and accepting of new and old members.
Several experiments and researches have been conducted that have focused on how people behave in groups. The findings have revealed that groups affect peoples’ attitudes, behavior and perceptions. Groups are essential for personal life, as well as in work life.