Group_Dynamics_theory.pdf

HEMOPHILIA ORGANIZATION

DEVELOPMENT

SEPTEMBER 2003 • NO 4

GROUP DYNAMICS AND

TEAM BUILDING

Ann-Marie Nazzaro

National Hemophilia Foundation (USA)

Joyce Strazzabosco

Consultant and Trainer (USA)

Published by the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH)

The WFH encourages redistribution of its publications for educational purposes by not-for-profit

hemophilia organizations. In order to obtain permission to reprint, redistribute, or translate this

publication, please contact the Publications and Information Department at the address below.

This publication is accessible from the World Federation of Hemophilia’s web site at www.wfh.org ,

Additional copies are also available from the WFH at:

World Federation of Hemophilia

1425 René Lévesque Boulevard West, Suite 1010

Montréal, Québec H3G 1T7

CANADA

Tel. : (514) 875-7944

Fax : (514) 875-8916

E-mail: wfh@wfh.org

Internet: www.wfh.org

The Hemophilia Organization Development series aims to help hemophilia society leaders, staff, and

volunteers develop the skills necessary to effectively represent the interests of people with hemophilia.

The World Federation of Hemophilia does not engage in the practice of medicine and under no

circumstances recommends particular treatment for specific individuals.

Statements and opinions expressed here do not necessarily represent the opinions, policies, or

recommendations of the World Federation of Hemophilia, its Executive Committee, or its staff.

Table of Contents

Introduction ....................................................................................................................................................... 1

Understanding Group Dynamics .................................................................................................................... 1

Getting Acquainted ........................................................................................................................................... 2

Clarifying Expectations..................................................................................................................................... 3

Group Problem Solving .................................................................................................................................... 3

Team Building .................................................................................................................................................... 4

Team Development ........................................................................................................................................... 6

Achieving Group Consensus ........................................................................................................................... 6

Conclusion .......................................................................................................................................................... 7

Resources ............................................................................................................................................................ 7

Appendix 1: Techniques for Managing Group Dynamics ........................................................................... 8

Appendix 2: Broken Squares ............................................................................................................................ 12

Broken Squares Instruction Sheet for Participants.......................................................................... 13

Instructions to the Observer/Judge .................................................................................................. 13

Directions for Making the Squares for the Broken Square Exercise ............................................. 14

Appendix 3: Team Stages ................................................................................................................................. 15

Appendix 4: Lost on the Moon ........................................................................................................................ 16

Actual NASA Ranking........................................................................................................................ 17

Group Dynamics and Team Building

Ann-Marie Nazzaro, Joyce Strazzabosco

Introduction

This monograph was developed as a companion

to a workshop on group dynamics and team

building, presented at the WFH Global NMO

Training Workshop May 16-18, 2002, in Huelva,

Spain. The workshop offered two methods of

learning: (1) brief talks by the facilitators that

described some theory, and (2) structured

activities through which the participants

experienced and then discussed some of the

elements of group dynamics and team building.

Understanding Group Dynamics

The term “group dynamics” refers to the

interactions between people who are talking

together in a group setting. Group dynamics can

be studied in business settings, in volunteer

settings, in classroom settings, and in social

settings. Any time there are three or more

individuals interacting or talking together, there

are group dynamics.

A great deal can be learned by observation. If

one sits back quietly in a group ― any group ―

one will begin to see certain behavioural

patterns emerge. There will be at least one

person who tends to take the lead in

conversation, offering his or her thoughts and

opinions freely. There will be at least one

person who remains quiet, sometimes not even

appearing interested in the conversation. There

may be someone who tends to interrupt other

people, someone who wants the conversation to

move along faster, or who wants to focus on a

different subject. Another person may be

concerned about people’s feelings, and may try

to make everyone feel equally welcome. These

are only a few of the roles that people assume

without even thinking about it when they are in

a group setting.

In this monograph, we will review some of the

theories of group dynamics and team building

that were addressed in that workshop. In

addition, we have included structured activities

that may be used in local group settings. It

would be advisable to identify a volunteer who

has some experience in managing group

dynamics to facilitate the activities.

We wish to acknowledge that the content of this

monograph is taken from materials and theories

developed in the United States. Therefore, it

reflects a western European cultural context.

Some human behaviours transcend cultural

differences; others do not. The reader will be the

best judge of how relevant the material may be

for his or her local group. We offer these ideas

and exercises as tools to understanding and

improving the effectiveness of one’s own group;

they are not intended to influence or replace

readers’ cultural traditions.

Group roles are largely determined by a

combination of a person’s personality and his or

her experience with group settings. A person

who is shy is more likely to sit back in a group.

A person who is impatient is more likely to push

the discussion ahead. A person who is very

confident will offer more opinions. If such roles

are more or less pre-determined, how can the

group dynamics be improved?

The subjects of group dynamics and team

building are broad. One can study each of these

topics for years and still have more to learn.

There are many ways to approach each. A simple

Internet search will result in thousands of web

sites on either group dynamics or team building.

The way a group interacts can be improved in

several ways. There are training programs to

attend and there are tests one can take to learn

about one’s communication style. Perhaps the

simplest way to improve a group’s dynamics is

for one or more group members to learn to

manage the discussion, and thus help a group

accomplish its goals, much as a conductor

These subjects are important because they

influence how productive a group or a team

becomes. By understanding group dynamics

and by doing some team building, a group can

increase how much it accomplishes.

Plik z chomika:

Inne pliki z tego folderu:

Inne foldery tego chomika: