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ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR. T E N T H E D I T I O N. Why Have Teams Become So Popular. Teams typically outperform individuals. Teams use employee talents better. Teams are more flexible and responsive to changes in the environment. Teams facilitate employee involvement.
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ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR T E N T H E D I T I O N
Why Have Teams Become So Popular • Teams typically outperform individuals. • Teams use employee talents better. • Teams are more flexible and responsive to changes in the environment. • Teams facilitate employee involvement. • Teams are an effective way to democratize an organization and increase motivation.
Four Types of Teams • Problem-solving teams - usually 5-12 members from same department meeting to improve quality, efficiency and work environment • Self-managed work teams - usually 10-15 members who take on responsibilities usually associated with management • Cross-functional teams - members come together from different work areas or departments to accomplish a task • Virtual teams – use on-line technology to tie together members in different geographic areas. They are made up of physically dispersed employees who use computer technology to achieve a common goal.
Beware: Teams Aren’t Always the Answer • Ask these to see if a team fits the situation: • Can the work be done better using more than 1 person? • Is the work complex and is there a need for different perspectives? • Does the work create a common purpose or set of goals for the group that is larger than the aggregate of the goals for individuals? • Are members of the group involved in interdependent tasks? Ex) Sacramento State women’s basketball team vs. the women’s track team…
Turning Individuals Into Team Players • The Challenges • Overcoming individual resistance to team membership. • Countering the influence of individualistic cultures. • Introducing teams in an organization that has historically valued individual achievement. • Shaping Team Players • Selecting employees who can fulfill their team roles. • Training employees to become team players. • Reworking the reward system to encourage cooperative efforts while continuing to recognize individual contributions. So… would you rather work on your own or in a team? Why? Why not?
Contemporary Issues in Managing Teams • Team Effectiveness and Quality Management Requires That Teams: • Are small enough to be efficient and effective. • Are properly trained in required skills. • Allocated enough time to work on problems. • Are given authority to resolve problems and take corrective action. • Have a designated “champion” to call on when needed.
Team and Workforce Diversity:Advantages and Disadvantages of Diversity 9-5 E X H I B I T
Reinvigorating Mature Teams • Problems of Mature Teams • Becoming stagnant and complacent as cohesiveness increases. • Developing groupthink. • Confronting more difficult issues. • Reinvigorating Teams • Prepare members to deal with problems of maturity. • Offer refresher training. • Offer advanced training. • Encourage teams to treat their development as a constant learning experience.
Summary: Why are teams “great”? • Why are teams “great”? • Increased employee motivation. • Higher levels of productivity. • Increased employee satisfaction. • Common commitment to goals. • Improved communication. • Expanded job skills. • Organizational flexibility.
Summary: Why are teams “not so great”? • Mature teams are task oriented and have successfully minimized the negative influences of other group forces.(What about apathy? Infighting?) • Individual, group, and organizational goals can all be integrated into common team goals. (What about competition? Stress? Frustration? Individualistic personality traits?) • Participative or shared leadership is always effective.(Some people need leadership!) • The team environment drives out the subversive forces of politics, power, and conflict that divert groups from efficiently doing their work.(What about special deals? Favoritism? Enemies? Teams can't stop this!)