Module II: Teams: An
Overview
Groups
Groups are a normal part of life.
Every group is different:
-Different purposes
-Different people
-Different relationships
Characteristics of Groups
1) Size
2) Interdependence of Members
3) Group Identity
4) Group Goals
5) Group Structure
Size
3-13 members
*5 is considered optimal.
*Some studies say as many as 20 can be functional.
Too large a group can lead to social
loafing.
Interdependence of Members
Cooperation
Dependence
Mutual Influence
Subordination to Goal
Group Identity
Groups only exist when members are able
to think of themselves as a group.
Shared Values
Shared Goals
Group Goals
Goals=the reason the group exists.
The group goal is not the same as
individual goals.
Group Structure
Rules, Norms, and Roles
Informal Structure
Sometimes roles are defined formally.
Groups Vs. Teams
A team is a group of individuals who have come
together to achieve a specific, common goal.
All teams are small groups, but not all small groups
operate as teams.**
The definition of a small group that I gave you
earlier clearly fits the definition of teams: Teams
are typically small groups of people with a
common purpose and a sense of belonging, who
exert influence over one another.
Groups Vs. Teams
Groups
Goals
Goals may be discussed in
general terms.
Teams
Clear, elevating goals drive
all aspects of team
accomplishment.
Roles and
Responsibilities
Roles and responsibilities
may be discussed but are
not always explicitly defined
or developed
Rules
Rules are not formally
developed and evolve
according the groups needs
Methods
Roles and responsibilities
are clearly developed and
discussed.
Group members interact,
and work is usually divided.
Rules and operating
procedures are clearly
discussed and developed to
help team work together.
Team members collaborate
and coordinate efforts. Team
members work together
interdependently.
Mission of team
Defined as 'Purpose, reason for being'.
Defined simply "Who we are and what we
do".
Vision of team
A Vision is defined as 'An Image of the
future we seek to create'.
Rational of the team
Productivity
More innovations
Less time
Effectivessness
Team roles
What is needed is not well balanced
individuals, but individuals who
balance well with each other.
Roles
Action-oriented roles
Shaper, Implementer, and Completer-Finisher
People-oriented roles
Co-ordinator, Team-worker and Resource
Investigator
Cerebral roles
Plant, Monitor-Evaluator and Specialist
Team-Role Descriptions: the Parts People Play in
Effective Team operations
Team Role
Contribution
Allowance Weakness
Plant
Creative, imaginative, unorthodox. Ignores Incidents. Too preSolves difficult problems.
occupied to communicate
effectively
Resource
Investigator
Extrovert, enthusiastic,
communicative. Explores
opportunities. Develops contacts.
Over-optimistic. Loses interest
once initial enthusiasm has
passed.
Co-ordinator
Mature, confident, a good
chairperson. Clarifies goals,
promotes decision-making,
delegates well.
Can be seen as manipulative.
Offloads personal work.
Team-Role Descriptions: the Parts People Play in
Effective Team Operations
Team Role
Contribution
Allowance Weakness
Shaper
Challenging, dynamic, thrives on
pressure. The drive and courage
to overcome obstacles.
Prone to provocation. Offends
peoples feelings.
Monitor
Evaluator
Sober, strategic and discerning.
Sees all options. Judges
accurately.
Lacks drive and ability to
inspire others.
Team-worker
Co-operative, mild, perceptive
and diplomatic. Listens, builds,
averts friction.
Indecisive in crunch situations.
Team-Role Descriptions: the Parts People Play in
Effective Team Operations
Team Role
Contribution
Allowance Weakness
Implementor
Disciplined, reliable, conservative
and efficient. Turns ideas into
practical actions.
Somewhat inflexible. Slow to
respond to new possibilities.
Completer
Finisher
Painstaking, conscientious,
anxious. Searches out errors and
omissions. Delivers on time.
Inclined to worry unduly.
Reluctant to delegate.
Specialist
Single-minded, self-starting,
dedicated. Provides knowledge
and skills in rare supply.
Contributes on only a narrow
front. Dwells on technicalities.
Source-Belbin, R.M. Team Roles at Work, Butterworth-Heinemann, Oxford, 1993
Belbins Ideal Team
10
One Co-ordinator or one Shaper
One Innovator
One Monitor-Evaluator
One or more
Implementer 2
Team worker 2
Resource Investigator 2
One Finisher-Completer 1