Dr. Robert Konopaske Management Department February 12, 2011 Texas State University Leadership Institute “Building Effective Teams” 1
Feb 23, 2016
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Dr. Robert KonopaskeManagement Department
February 12, 2011
Texas State University Leadership Institute
“Building Effective Teams”
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Teams can make magic!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzNACAG
74QAU.S. organizations use teams for a variety
of reasons80% of companies with more than 100
employees use teams90% of all U.S. employees work part of
their day in a teamChances are…you’ll be a member of one
(or more) teams at your work!
Get ready for teamwork!
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Improved customer satisfactionImproved product & service qualityIncreased speed & efficiencyHigher job satisfactionBetter decision makingMore creative problem solving
Advantages of teams
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Initially high employee turnoverSocial loafingLowered quality of group decision making
GroupthinkInefficient meetingsDomination by a few membersLack of accountability
Disadvantages of teams
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1. The presence of someone with expertise2. The presentation of a compelling
argument3. Lacking confidence in one’s ability to
contribute4. An unimportant or meaningless decision5. A dysfunctional decision-making climate6. Again, social loafing can be an issue
Why people withhold effort in teams
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When to use teams (or not)!
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Continuum of autonomy in work groups
TraditionalWork
Groups
EmployeeInvolvement
Groups
Semi-autonomous
WorkGroups
Self-managing
Teams
Self-designing
Teams
Autonomy
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Same as self-managing teams except:Control and change design of teamControl resources for task accomplishmentImpose discipline on team members:
Hire and fireDivide rewardsDecide on penalties (ex: tardiness)
Can change task of team
Self-designing Teams
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Geographically and/or organizationally dispersed coworker who use telecommunication & IT to accomplish an organizational task
Tips for creating successful virtual teams:Select self-starters and strong
communicatorsKeep the team focused on clear, specific
goalsProvide frequent feedbackPeriodically bring team members together &
use team buildingImprove communications & ask team
members for feedback on how well team is working
Special type of team: Virtual
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Work team characteristics
TeamSize
TeamConflict
TeamDevelopment
Team Norms
TeamCohesiveness
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Informally agreed-on standards that regulate team behavior
Powerful influence on work behavior Regulate the everyday behaviors of teams e.g., soldiering
Team norms
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The extent to which members are attracted to the team and motivated to remain in it
Cohesive teams: retain their members promote cooperation have high levels of
performance Promote team cohesiveness by:
1. Make sure all team members are present at team meetings
2. Create additional opportunities for teammates to work together
3. Engage in nonwork activities as a team4. Make employees feel that they are part of a
“special” organization
Team cohesiveness
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Team size & performance: A U-shaped relationship
Team Size (6-9 members)
Perf
orm
ance
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C-type Conflict cognitive conflict focuses on problems and issues associated with improvements in team
performance A-type Conflict
affective conflict emotional, personal disagreements associated with decreases in team
performance Both types often occur simultaneously
Team conflict
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Forming – 1st stage of team development; get to know other members; set ground rules
Storming – 2nd stage; conflict over what should be done & how to do it; team leader nudges group toward team goalsTeam will be ineffective if it gets stuck here
Norming – 3rd stage; informal rules; members get used to roles; group cohesion grows
Performing – 4th stage; performance high b/c team has matured; it’s fully functioning now
Team Development: Stages
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Types of team training
Conflict
Interpersonal Skills
Decision Makingand Problem Solving
Technical Training
Training for Team Leaders
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Power strugglesIndividual behaviorUnequal WorkloadLack of top management supportPoor leadershipLack of focusCapability issuesGroupthink
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYpbStMyz_I
Causes of Unproductive Teams
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Team Compensation & Recognition