MGMT20001 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Group Dynamics, Confirmation Bias, Situational Leadership Theory
17 May 2018
School
Department
Course
Professor
Teams and Leadership
The rise of teamwork
● There is a consensus in recent management literature that teamwork brings important
organisational benefits
● It is more productive - the creation of synergy
● It improves team members’ quality of working life and satisfaction
● It improves an organisation’s problem solving capabilities
● Makes organisations more effective
● Working in groups is a more “natural” form of organisation
● Strength comes from nature of common goal
Group dynamics
● A group is two or more people acting interdependently to achieve a common objective
● The “strength” of an interaction depends on the nature of the common objective, the
context in which it takes place and the temperament/social skills of the group members.
● Groups are important because they are ubiquitous in organisations and exert an
important influence over the conduct of group members
● Groups can be formal or informal
● In organisations, teams are formal groups intentionally created to achieve an
objective set by the organisation itself
● Informal groups can emerge spontaneously and reflect the common interests of their
members
● The goals and objectives of an informal group may not be aligned with those of the host
organisation (subversion)
○ Must ensure formal and informal groups are aligned
● Through social interactions with others we acquire beliefs, attitudes, values and
character behaviours
○ Who we associate with has an impact on our sense of identity
● Groups create a social setting where influence can be exerted on others:
○ exhortation
○ demonstration
○ coercion
○ bribery
○ shame
● Groups satisfy important needs:
○ social affiliation
○ common purpose
○ recognition
● Group membership influence behaviour:
CONDUCT + VALUES + IDENTITY+ INFLUENCE = DISCIPLINE
Document Summary
There is a consensus in recent management literature that teamwork brings important organisational benefits. It is more productive - the creation of synergy. It improves team members" quality of working life and satisfaction. Working in groups is a more natural form of organisation. Strength comes from nature of common goal. A group is two or more people acting interdependently to achieve a common objective. The strength of an interaction depends on the nature of the common objective, the context in which it takes place and the temperament/social skills of the group members. Groups are important because they are ubiquitous in organisations and exert an important influence over the conduct of group members. In organisations, teams are formal groups intentionally created to achieve an objective set by the organisation itself. Informal groups can emerge spontaneously and reflect the common interests of their members.
