1.10. Group Dynamics Processes

Group Dynamics: How do the interactions of individuals at work or those who learn together impact goals, communication, and team development? (AOE 1. Performance Improvement; Sub-section 1.10. Group Dynamics Process) Connect with the podcast post on Twitter: @laurapasquini Or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurapasquini/ Are you studying for the CPLP? Want more learning & performance ideas? Subscribe to the pod for the next study session: https://learnperform.transistor.fm/subscribe
AOE 1. Performance Improvement; Sub-section 1.10. Group Dynamics Process
Learning objectives for Group Dynamics Processes:
  • Explain group dynamics
  • Explain why understanding group dynamics is important in improving performance
  • Explain groupthink
  • List strategies to ensure full group participation in team decisions
  • List behavioral styles of individuals
  • Describe the Tuckman model
  • List the five stages in the Tuckman model
  • List the five stages in Cog’s Ladder
Group dynamics: the interaction of individuals working or learning together & includes things like setting goals, communicating, making decisions, providing leadership,& resolving conflict; facilitation strategies can affect and impact these dynamics, as shared in Ep. 1.7.

Personal identity issues: Will I belong? Will I be listened to? Will I have a chance to contribute?
Relationship issues: Will everyone get along? How will people from different departments and levels interact? Will the working atmosphere be friendly or businesslike? Will communication be open?

Inclusion Practices
  • Establish clear communication methods and styles
  • Establish agreement and maintain focus on the objectives, goals, and mission of the team and project with clear defined relationships
  • Assist team members with relationship building - introductions, social meetings, etc.
  • Ensure that team members remain connected to daily work
  • Become familiar with any cultural differences, and address these differences with individuals and with the team
  • Establish a code of conduct - communication style, conflict management, roles in the group, consequences of conduct, norms, meeting expectations, etc. 
Groupthink “occurs when a group of well-intentioned people make irrational or non-optimal decisions that are spurred by the urge to conform or the discouragement of dissent. This problematic or premature consensus may be fueled by a particular agenda or simply because group members value harmony and coherence above rational thinking.”

Conditions that allow for groupthink: isolation of the group, high group cohesion, directive leadership, lack of norms related to methodical decision-making procedures, homogeneity of members, and high stress from external threats. 

Ways to avoid groupthink:
  • Assign a member of the group the role of devil’s advocate to argue against the consensus view
  • Create avenues for anonymous feedback e.g. suggestion forms/boxes
  • Provide mechanisms in which any member of the group is free to appeal to someone outside the group
  • Ensure the group uses methodological decision-making processes
Decision-Making Processes — see Ep. 1.7.; allow others to contribute their ideas and perspectives and allow the group to avoid narrow thinking. E.g. brainstorming, nominal group technique, affinity & interrelationship diagramming

Social Psychology Dynamics: behavioral styles categorize personality differences, information-processing styles, and social interaction differences. One common way to identify behavioral style model is the DiSC Personality Profile (Marston, 1928) refers to the four basic behavioral styles:
  • Dominance (direct and decisive) 
  • Influence (optimistic and outgoing)
  • Steadiness (sincere and cooperative)
  • Conscientious (concerned and correct)
 What’s your DiSC Personality? Find out: https://www.123test.com/disc-personality-test/ 
  1. Forming
  2. Storming
  3. Norming
  4. Performing
  5. Adjourning

Cogg’s Ladder: Model of Team Development
  1. The Polite Stage
  2. The “Why Are We Here?” Stage
  3. The Power Phase; Bid For Power
  4. The Cooperation Phase; Performance Progress
  5. The Esprit de Corps Phase; Synergy 

What sort of models do you use for team development? Are there assessments that you prefer for assessing individual and group dynamics? Let me know!
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