Managing Groups and Teams

Figure 13.1

The coordination needed by a symphony to perform in unison is a prime example of teamwork. © 2010 Jupiterimages Corporation

Learning Objectives

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

• Recognize and understand group dynamics and development.
• Understand the difference between groups and teams.
• Understand how to organize effective teams.
• Recognize and address common barriers to team effectiveness.
• Build and maintain cohesive teams.

Groups and teams are ubiquitous on the organizational landscape and managers will find that team management skills are required within each of the planning-organizing-leading-controlling (P-O-L-C) functions. For instance, planning may often occur in teams, particularly in less centralized organizations or toward the higher levels of the firm. When making decisions about the structure of the firm and individual jobs, managers conducting their organizing function must determine how teams will be used within the organization. Teams and groups have implications for the controlling function because teams require different performance assessments and rewards. Finally, teams and groups are a facet of the leading function. Today’s managers must be both good team members and good team leaders. Managing groups and teams is a key component of leadership.

In your personal life, you probably already belong to various groups such as the group of students in your management class; you may also belong to teams, such as an athletic team or a musical ensemble. In your career, you will undoubtedly be called on to be part of, and mostly likely to manage, groups and teams.