Preface
About the Authors
Groups Have a Long History of Success
We Need Groups Every Day
Groups Increase Our Knowledge Base
When Teams Are Good, They’re Very, Very Good
Creating Effective Teams
How to Use This Book
Plant Groups in a Favorable Organizational Climate
Give Groups What They Need to Do Their Best
Pick Members Based on Their Ability to Do the
Task and Their Ability to Contribute to Group Success
Educate People for Group Participation Competence
Avoid Unsubstantiated Team Development and Consultation Strategies
Avoid Helping Groups Too Much
Make Sure Each Group Has Enough Autonomy to Do Its Work but Remains Connected With the Rest of the Organization
Conduct Organizational Support Reviews Regularly
The Organizational Support Checklist
Stage 1: Dependence and Inclusion
Stage 2: Counterdependence and Fighting
Stage 3: Trust and Structure
Stage 4: Work and Productivity
Surviving Group Development
The Characteristics of High Performance Teams
Ten Keys to Productivity
Team Performance Checklist
Don’t Blame Others for Group Problems
Encourage the Process of Goal, Role, and Task Clarification
Encourage the Adoption of an Open Communication Structure in Which All Member Input and Feedback Are Heard
Promote an Appropriate Ratio of Task and Supportive Communications
Promote the Use of Effective Problem-Solving and Decision-Making Procedures
Encourage the Establishment of Norms That Support Productivity, Innovation, and Freedom of Expression
Go Along With Norms That Promote Group Effectiveness and Productivity
Promote Group Cohesion and Cooperation
Effective Member Checklist
Don’t Take On Every Leadership Assignment You Are Offered
Adjust Your Leadership Style to Meet the Developmental Needs of the Group at a Particular Time
Leadership at Stage 1: Be a Directive and Confident Leader
Leadership at Stage 2: When Members Begin to Demand More Participation in Running the Group, Slowly Begin to Empower Them
Leadership at Stage 3: Involve Members in the Leadership Function
Leadership at Stage 4: Participate as an Expert Member of Your Team
Effective Leader Checklist
Goals of Stage 1
Concerns About Safety and Inclusion
Dependence on the Designated Leader
A Wish for Order and Structure
Goals of Stage 2
Create a Unified Group Culture
Create a Unified and Effective Group Structure
Goals of Stage 3
Fine-Tuning Roles, Organization, and Procedures
Solidifying Positive Relationships
Goals of Stage 4
Getting the Work Done Well
Making Decisions
Cohesion and Conflict
Maintaining High Performance
Fluid Teams
Self-Managed Teams
Agile Teams
Virtual Teams
Multicultural Teams
Does the Model Describe What Really Happens in Groups?
How Are Groups Distributed Across the Four Stages?
On Average, How Long Does the Development Process Take?
Does Team Building Have Any Effect?
Does Group Size Affect Group Maturity?
How Do Work Groups in Different Sectors Function?
A Final Thought
Bibliography
Index