Organizing Groups and Teams

1
Chapter 5

• Organizing Groups and Teams

2
Organizing Groups and Teams

• Tasks and linkages in small groups
• Teamwork and interdependence
• Determinants of successful teamwork
• Team structure and top performance
• Saturn the story behind the story

3
Teamwork

• Teamwork
• Represents a set of values that encourages
  listening and responding constructively to views
  expressed by others, giving each other the
  benefit of the doubt, providing support, and
  recognizing the interests and achievements of
  others
• Boleman Deal
• Successful teams
• Have an effective structure of roles
• Relationships are focused on attaining common
  goals

4
I. Tasks and Linkages in Small Groups

• Structural options
• Must allow members to contribute successfully
• Situational variables influencing structure
• What are we trying to accomplish?
• What needs to be done?
• Who should do what?
• How should we make decisions?
• Who is in charge?
• How do we coordinate efforts?

5
I. Tasks and Linkages in Small Groups cont

• Situational variables, cont.
• What do individuals care about most time,
  quality, participation, etc?
• What are the special skills and talents of each
  group member?
• What is the relationship between this group and
  others?
• How will we determine success?

6
I. Tasks and Linkages in Small Groups cont

• Basic structural configurations
• One boss
• Information decisions flow from top
• Communication is directed to the boss
• Approach works best with simple and
  straightforward tasks

7
I. Tasks and Linkages in Small Groups cont

• Basic structural configurations
• Dual authority
• Creates a 2nd management level
• Two members are given authority over specific
  areas
• Works best when tasks are divisible
• Limits access with the boss

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I. Tasks and Linkages in Small Groups cont

• Basic structural configurations
• Simple hierarchy
• Middle manager reports to boss
• Allows boss to focus on strategy
• Limits access to boss

9
I. Tasks and Linkages in Small Groups cont

• Basic structural configurations
• Circle
• Information flows sequentially from one group
  member to another
• Morale is usually high

10
I. Tasks and Linkages in Small Groups cont

• Basic structural configurations
• All channel (web of inclusion)
• Creates multiple connections so that team members
  can talk to anyone
• Team members must have good communication skills
• Must tolerate ambiguity, management conflict

11
Teamwork and Interdependence

• Organized Sports
• Different sports call for unique patterns of
  differentiation, levels of interdependence, and
  coordination
• Baseball
• lonely game
• Football
• Every play involves every player
• Strategy and execution are necessary ingredients
• Basketball
• Every player may be involved with any of the
  other four
• Success depends on a flowing relationship among
  team members
• Players who have been together along time develop
  a sense of what each player will do

12
Determinants of Successful Teamwork

• The right team structure depends on what a teams
  is trying to do
• Important questions when determining an
  appropriate structural design
• What is the nature and degree of task interaction
  among unit members?
• What is the geographic distribution of members?
• Where does the autonomy (self-sufficiency)
  reside?
• How is coordination achieved?
• Should structure be conglomerate, mechanistic, or
  organic?
• What sports metaphor captures the tasks of
  management
• Fill out line-up card
• Prepare game plan
• Influence flow

13
Team Structure Top Performance

• Six distinguishing characteristics of
  high-performing teams
• Purpose shaped in light of demand or opportunity
• Specific, measurable goals
• Manageable size
• Right mix of expertise
• Common commitment
• Collectively accountable

14
Saturn The Story Behind the Story

• Quality, consumer satisfaction, customer loyalty
• Employees granted authority to make decisions
  within a few flexible guidelines
• Assembly done by teamswisdom of teams
• The old system of sequential, repetitive
  efforts by isolated individuals is a thing of
  the past.
• Group accountability

15
Conclusion

• Every group evolves a structurebut not always
  one that fits the task and circumstances.
• Hierarchy, top-down structures tend to work for
  simple, stable tasks.
• When the task or environment is more complex, the
  structure needs to adapt.
• Sports images provide a metaphor for structural
  options.
• Vary the structure in response to change.
• Few groups have flawless members the right
  structure can make optimal use of available
  resources.