Texas State University Leadership Institute “Building Effective Teams”

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Dr. Robert KonopaskeManagement Department

February 12, 2011

Texas State University Leadership Institute

“Building Effective Teams”

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Teams can make magic!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzNACAG

74QAU.S. organizations use teams for a variety

of reasons80% of companies with more than 100

employees use teams90% of all U.S. employees work part of

their day in a teamChances are…you’ll be a member of one

(or more) teams at your work!

Get ready for teamwork!

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Improved customer satisfactionImproved product & service qualityIncreased speed & efficiencyHigher job satisfactionBetter decision makingMore creative problem solving

Advantages of teams

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Initially high employee turnoverSocial loafingLowered quality of group decision making

GroupthinkInefficient meetingsDomination by a few membersLack of accountability

Disadvantages of teams

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1. The presence of someone with expertise2. The presentation of a compelling

argument3. Lacking confidence in one’s ability to

contribute4. An unimportant or meaningless decision5. A dysfunctional decision-making climate6. Again, social loafing can be an issue

Why people withhold effort in teams

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When to use teams (or not)!

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Continuum of autonomy in work groups

TraditionalWork

Groups

EmployeeInvolvement

Groups

Semi-autonomous

WorkGroups

Self-managing

Teams

Self-designing

Teams

Autonomy

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Same as self-managing teams except:Control and change design of teamControl resources for task accomplishmentImpose discipline on team members:

Hire and fireDivide rewardsDecide on penalties (ex: tardiness)

Can change task of team

Self-designing Teams

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Geographically and/or organizationally dispersed coworker who use telecommunication & IT to accomplish an organizational task

Tips for creating successful virtual teams:Select self-starters and strong

communicatorsKeep the team focused on clear, specific

goalsProvide frequent feedbackPeriodically bring team members together &

use team buildingImprove communications & ask team

members for feedback on how well team is working

Special type of team: Virtual

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Work team characteristics

TeamSize

TeamConflict

TeamDevelopment

Team Norms

TeamCohesiveness

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Informally agreed-on standards that regulate team behavior

Powerful influence on work behavior Regulate the everyday behaviors of teams e.g., soldiering

Team norms

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The extent to which members are attracted to the team and motivated to remain in it

Cohesive teams: retain their members promote cooperation have high levels of

performance Promote team cohesiveness by:

1. Make sure all team members are present at team meetings

2. Create additional opportunities for teammates to work together

3. Engage in nonwork activities as a team4. Make employees feel that they are part of a

“special” organization

Team cohesiveness

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Team size & performance: A U-shaped relationship

Team Size (6-9 members)

Perf

orm

ance

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C-type Conflict cognitive conflict focuses on problems and issues associated with improvements in team

performance A-type Conflict

affective conflict emotional, personal disagreements associated with decreases in team

performance Both types often occur simultaneously

Team conflict

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Forming – 1st stage of team development; get to know other members; set ground rules

Storming – 2nd stage; conflict over what should be done & how to do it; team leader nudges group toward team goalsTeam will be ineffective if it gets stuck here

Norming – 3rd stage; informal rules; members get used to roles; group cohesion grows

Performing – 4th stage; performance high b/c team has matured; it’s fully functioning now

Team Development: Stages

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Types of team training

Conflict

Interpersonal Skills

Decision Makingand Problem Solving

Technical Training

Training for Team Leaders

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Power strugglesIndividual behaviorUnequal WorkloadLack of top management supportPoor leadershipLack of focusCapability issuesGroupthink

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYpbStMyz_I

Causes of Unproductive Teams

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Team Compensation & Recognition