Knowledge

Knowledge

Is Your Group Involvled in the Circle of Discontent?

Groups not only go through stages, there are times when they function very well, and other times when issues or individual needs interrupt the competence of the group. The following chart suggests ways to examine team concerns and move the group past snags.

Critical questions Indicator of problems

P Productivity Is the group doing enough?
Are these goals or objectives Frustration
Concern over deadlines
One person doing it all

E Empathy Do members feel comfortable with each other? Tenseness in meetings
Frustration expressed
Gossiping, undercurrent

R Roles/goals Do members know what is expected? Confusion about priorities
Arguments over ideas
Leadership issues

F Flexibity Are members open to outside suggestions, contributions? Fault finding with rest of class
"We-they" statements
Dyads flourish or "odd man"

O Openness Do people say what they think?
Can members express needs? Lack of debate
Air is "thick"

R Recognition Do members praise each other?
Are achievements appreciated? Backbiting
Sarcasm
Competitive sense

M Morale People like coming to meetings
Tardiness is minimal Members come on time
Members meet outside of class

ESE380 : The Class : Commander Troy : Linear Lou : Knowledge

Directions: Discuss each area. If issues emerge, develop a goal to address concerns

P Productivity
Goal
Issues

E Empathy
Goal
Issues

R Roles/goals
Goal
Issues

F Flexibity
Goal
Issues

O Openness
Goal
Issues

R Recognition
Goal
Issues

M Morale
Goal
Issues

Vision

Clear-everyone knows what is involved
Motivating value - all memebers feel engaged and committed
Attainable - everyone stays motivated
Evolves - reflects changes and insights as they develop
(West, 1994)
How does the group rate on chararcteristics of a healthy vision?
Working Group or Team?

Working group interacts to share information but does not hve realistic shared overall purpose that requires team work
There is no real common purpose, and efforts to find or build one fail
The potential team is working to improve group performance but has not developed a plan for accountability
A real team is committed to common goals and is accountable to each other for working together
A great team not only is a real team, with all the characteristics noted, but also is committed to the growth, development and well-being of each member of the team. (Katzenback & Smith, 1993)
Do you have a group or a team?

Once you have finished you should:

Go back to Lesson 2

E-mail J'Anne Ellsworth at Janne.Ellsworth@nau.edu