Dubuque Circles Initiative Leadership Track Series

1. There’s No “I” in Team:
Group Dynamics
Dubuque Circles Initiative
Leadership Track Series

2. Let’s Start with an Exercise!
First Then
 List everything you
do in a typical day
from the moment you
fall asleep
 Write at least 10
different answers to
the following
question: Who am I?
 Count on your list all of
the activities you perform
with groups and those
you perform alone.
Calculate a percentage of
group activities.
 Count on your list
descriptions that include
information about the
groups you belong to.
Calculate a percentage.

3. Laying the Foundation
 Groups typically have the following
characteristics:
◦ Two or more individuals
◦ Interacting and interdependent
◦ Perceive themselves as members of the group
◦ Come together to achieve particular shared
objectives
Groups are “groupier” when they are small,
able to interact on a variety of issues, and
have a past and envision a future

4. Groups Have Structure
 Norms
 Roles
 Status systems
 Communication structure
Structure

5. Groups Have Goals
 Goals
◦ Generating
◦ Choosing
◦ Negotiating
◦ Executing
 Tension between 2 goals
◦ Task accomplishment
◦ Socioemotional needs

6. Nature of Groups
 Groups are recognized as important units
 Helps in directing and channelizing the
constructive efforts
 Common goals of the company is fulfilled
 Group dynamics was first introduced by
corporate giants like Toyota, Motorola, GE,
etc.

7. Why People Create Groups
 Sense of security
 Status
 Self-Esteem
 Affiliation
 Power
 Goal Achievement

8. Types of Groups
Formal Groups Informal Groups
 Deliberately created
to perform a specific
task
 Hierarchy exists
 Rules and regulations
guide the behavior
 Formed as a
consequential part of
the company by
easing out any kind
of stress or tensions
 Helps in groups’
survival and provision
of benefits

9. Group Productivity
As performance
norms and
cohesiveness
increases,
productivity increases

10. Task Roles in Groups
 Information and Opinion Giver/Seeker
 Starter
 Direction Giver
 Summarizer
 Coordinator
 Diagnoser
 Energizer
 Reality Tester
 Evaluator

11. Relationship Roles in Groups
 Encourager of Participation
 Harmonizer and Compromiser
 Tension Reliever
 Communication Helper
 Evaluator of Emotional Climate
 Process Observer
 Standard Setter
 Active Listener
 Trust Builder
 Interpersonal Problem Solver

12. The Stages of Group Development
 Forming
◦ Dependence
 Storming
◦ Counter-dependence
 Norming
◦ Interdependence
 Performing
◦ Independence
 Adjourning/Reforming/Transforming

13. Improving Group Dynamics

14. Clarifying Expectations
 “Expectation” is that often-unspoken idea
we have of how things are going to be, or
how people will behave, or how people
will react
 Everyone in a group will likely have a
slightly different expectation which can
color an individual’s reactions to the
stated agenda
 Spend a minute or two clarifying
members’ expectations

15. Equalize Participation
 Listing
 Stacking
 Pacing
 Checking the Process
 Taking a Break
 Call for Consensus
 Passing the Clipboard