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