When a group comes together to accomplish a goal it can be very beneficial to the final product. The diversity of group members, experience, and knowledge can make a final product or solution more successful. Everyone has a different background and different experiences that create a diverse outcome (Developing an Effective Group n.d.). In the working world all of us need to work with others at one time or another, and often groups, teams, and committees are formed to come to a common goal, solution or development of a product (Dimock, H.G.1993). In some group assignments there may be difficulty over some members feeling that they are completing more of the work than others and difficulty over time management of everyone in the group. Sometimes a group leader is an effective strategy to avoid these difficulties.
A group comes together to focus on finding common solutions or building a final project. This can be very effective to the project or solution because individuals in different roles in the workplace, different backgrounds and different experiences have a variety of points of view that they are able to contribute (Dimock, H.G.1993). This group diversity leads to a final product that contains more information on more topics that would not have been included without a variety of thoughts and ideas. Working in groups is often more efficient and motivates group members to achieve more in a certain period of time as group members motivate others to do their best and people often feel the need to be competitive (CSU 2009). Bringing out the competitive nature in people focused toward a common goal can often be a very productive strategy.
Groups work together in the working world everyday. In all businesses employees must meet with co-workers, supervisors, investors, and members of the board to accomplish common goals (Dimock, H.G.1993). Employees who work in businesses that are set up as work groups where every task is a group project claim they are successful and that they build organization throughout the company (Norman 1996). Human Resources professionals and management teams select employees based on the skills and experience that are most relevant to the field of business a company is in.
When a group is formed to work on a project or issue employees are prepared, backed by experience and skills. While the experiences are related to the field of business they are all different. Individuals have been through different situations with different people and have come to different solutions, this leads to an effective and well rounded group dynamic that leaders in the workplace utilize for a final product or solution that has considered every possibility (Wales D).
Group projects sometimes lead members to feel that others are not contributing their fair share or that the project is suffering due to ineffective time management of other members. Some members of a group are very independent and prefer to work alone rather than in groups. They feel that their best work comes from completing projects individually. Many group issues can be alleviated with effective communication (Burgess H. 2007). Groups should decide on a consistent form of communication that all group members utilize such as email, phone, internet instant messaging or internet forums (Dimock, H.G. 1993).
Issues may arise in a group when members feel that the work suffers due to poor time management of a team member. A group needs to set a clear structure and timeline of when items need to be completed so a final product can be put together on time. This timeline structure should be decided upon during the first group meetings. Deciding on a group leader is an effective tool at avoiding negative group dynamics that may arise. A leader’s main goals are to keep positive group dynamics, make sure that everyone in the group is heard, and keeping the group set to a time schedule (Hunt, Cunningham 1992). When working in a group members may sometimes feel the need to control the group and the way the project may be working instead of making it a collaborative process. Electing a group leader easily alleviates these issues and helps keep a group on time and on track.
Group projects may have issues arise when they are made of strong personalities and some individuals do not feel comfortable in a group setting. With a strong structure of set communication, time guidelines, and electing an effective group leader a group can accomplish a goal and be very productive. Employees who work in group environments claim success and productivity for the company (Norman 1996). Tasks that are completed in a group contain well diversified ideas, experiences, solutions and provide well rounded final products.
Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University (n.d.) Developing an Effective Group
Retrieved May 29, 2009 from http://www.clt.uts.edu.au/Scholarship/Home_Page.html
Dimock, H.G. (1993) Workplaces that Work HR Toolkit Retrieved May 28th, 2009 from
http://www.hrvs-rhsbc.ca/hr-toolkit/workplaces-teams.cfm
Colorado State University (2009) Why Work In Groups? Colorado State University Website
Retrieved May 29, 2009 from http://writing.colostate.edu/guides/processes/group/pop1a.cfm.
Norman, N. (1996) The Value of Teams in the Workplace University of Michigan: The Record
Retrieved May 29, 2009 from http://www.ur.umich.edu/9697/Oct08_96/artcl15c.htm
Wales, D. (2007) Creating and Managing Effective Teams in the Workplace Associated Content
Retrieved May 29, 2009 from http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/436522/creating_and_managing_effective_teams.html?cat=3
Burgess, H. (2007) Group Projects: A Conflict Resolution Guide for Students University of
Colorado Conflict Research Consortium Retrieved May 29, 2009 from http://www.beyondintractability.org/user_guides/students/?nid=6577
Derek Bok Center for Teaching and Learning (1992) Working in Groups A Quick Guide for Students #3 HarvardUniversityRetrieved May 29, 2009 from http://isites.harvard.edu/fs/html/icb.topic58474/wigstudents3.html
