This is the mythical word team.
The word "team" is very often used in today's business world. Surely, each time in his work, he was faced with the fact that the head says: “We are one team!” Or: “Where is your team spirit?” Or: “We must be one team!”
In the best case, employees nod their heads. But in reality, having dispersed to their workplaces, they will think: “What was that? What team are you talking about? Why do we need this? Everything is fine with us already ... "
In order to better understand what a work group and team are, it is worth noting that the minimum work unit is an individual worker.
In this article, we will not talk about the advantages or disadvantages of working alone, but consider the situation where individual workers, under certain conditions, come together in working groups of various sizes.
What benefits can bring several individual workers into working groups?
• Satisfying social needs
• Benefits from sharing experience, for example, when an experienced worker shows a beginner how to work
• Mutual support, for example, colleagues will always support someone who has entered into disputes with management
• The basis for self-expression, since the safety created by membership in a group always contributes to the manifestation of constructiveness.
These advantages are sometimes not explicit and comprehensive, there are still many hidden ones, but they are not an absolute plus for all employees. There are employees who are not comfortable working in a team, despite all the positive aspects and the friendly atmosphere inside. But we are considering those who have not chosen the path of the “lone wolf” on the warpath, but people who feel comfortable united in working groups.
Working groups can be primary and secondary, official (formal) and informal.
An example of a primary group is small departments within a company, design teams, sports teams or other entertainment-based associations based on direct contacts.
Secondary groups can be factories, communities, conveyor assembly lines, within which workers do not enter into personal contacts with each other, as well as the territorial offices of the company. These groups, as a rule, are less durable and connected than the primary ones, although they are also characterized by the personal interaction of the participants.
Formal groups are created by management for a specific, predetermined purpose. They are also characterized by a high degree of involvement of management in the coordination of their activities, monitoring and determining the nature of the actions they take. Moreover, the structure of the group is clearly defined in advance, the tasks are precisely scheduled.
An informal group can be formed without any involvement from management. It is created by people who feel a common interest. Group norms are developed for them, and a certain attitude to the “outside world” is formed. Those. the group begins to live separately from the "community".
An important factor in the formation of relations within a group are group norms. What is it? Group norms - these are shared by all members of the group views on how to act, or common position, feelings, faith. The standards may relate to production methods, the amount of work to be performed, the degree of readiness (enthusiasm) for the work, the quality of the resulting product, relations with management, how to handle different people, and a whole range of other problems.
For example: if a newcomer enters the group, then he in the group will feel isolated and unprotected and therefore will strive to adopt the norms established in this group that will serve him as a guide in behavior within the group. Group norms determine the further development and progress of the team. If they are not demanding, for example, to quality or strict execution of work on time, then newcomers will subsequently re-adopt this model of work. And vice versa, if a group has high goals and is demanding on the quality of execution, then beginners will quickly absorb this style of work and will try to reach the same level as their colleagues. We are considering just such a case.
How are working groups formed? For the formation and unity of the working group, certain conditions must exist:
• People should be in close contact
• The types of work to be carried out should be connected
• The group should not be very large
• The external threat especially contributes to the formation of groups
In the formed working group, productivity gradually increases, close cooperation is established between the participants, loyalty to the team arises. Individuals value the contributions of other members of the group and accept them as they are. A decision-making system acceptable to all members of the group is established. Everyone is busy with his work and passionate about it. This is the so-called stage of cooperation, or the performing stage of the process.
What behavior is most typical for people within the group?
• Individuals often behave as a group expects, rather than as if they were presented to themselves.
• The group exerts strong pressure on its members to ensure that their conduct complies with their standards and norms.
• Beginners in a group often feel unwanted. In this regard, groups vary greatly in how individuals differ in their abilities to be or not to be accepted by the group.
• Informal leaders appear in the group, changing according to the situation and time.
• Due to the departure of old or the arrival of new members, the character of the group will not change, unless a very influential member leaves or joins it.
• Cohesion and coordination of the group’s actions is enhanced in the event of an external threat or competition with another similar group.
How is group cohesion determined?
The degree to which members of the group feel themselves to be part of it determines the cohesion of the group. Cohesion is manifested in the predominant use in the conversations of the group members of the pronoun “we” instead of “I”, in the mutual assistance of the group members and the level of persistence and enthusiasm shown by them. The degree to which members of the group feel that they are part of it determines the cohesion of the group.
The emergence of group cohesion is facilitated by many factors, and among them the following can be listed:
• Group members often come into direct contact with each other
• Willingness with which the group members support its goals
• The degree of common interest among the group members
• How easy communication is within the group
• etc.
All of the above leads us to an understanding of what the mythical word team often appears on hearing.
A team is a type of group. All teams are groups, but a group will not necessarily behave as a team.
• The team has its own leaders. The authority and authority of the team leader - unlike the group leader - is implicitly accepted by all team members.
• The team leader represents her in the external environment and is officially responsible for her behavior.
• A team is more than a group united by one goal. This is an association of people in which the contribution of each employee complements the work of another, they are linked by a common goal and responsibility for the overall result, a team spirit appears.
• Team members work in an atmosphere of trust. The open expression of ideas, opinions, disagreement, etc. is encouraged. Questions are welcome.
Sources of such an important phenomenon as team spirit are:
• Fair distribution of work and responsibilities within the group, especially when it comes to unattractive or very hard work;
• Clearly designed work programs with realistic deadlines;
• Compatibility of personal characteristics of team members.
Team spirit is the main motivator and driving force, despite all the negative factors that inhibit the process. Teams with a strong inner spirit can turn unsolved issues into fully feasible projects, just because of the enthusiasm and positive mood that drives people forward. Cohesion within the team helps to reduce labor turnover and absenteeism, a more responsible attitude to work and responsiveness in relationships.
PS Do not forget, we are a team.
In the best case, employees nod their heads. But in reality, having dispersed to their workplaces, they will think: “What was that? What team are you talking about? Why do we need this? Everything is fine with us already ... "
In order to better understand what a work group and team are, it is worth noting that the minimum work unit is an individual worker.
In this article, we will not talk about the advantages or disadvantages of working alone, but consider the situation where individual workers, under certain conditions, come together in working groups of various sizes.
What benefits can bring several individual workers into working groups?
• Satisfying social needs
• Benefits from sharing experience, for example, when an experienced worker shows a beginner how to work
• Mutual support, for example, colleagues will always support someone who has entered into disputes with management
• The basis for self-expression, since the safety created by membership in a group always contributes to the manifestation of constructiveness.
These advantages are sometimes not explicit and comprehensive, there are still many hidden ones, but they are not an absolute plus for all employees. There are employees who are not comfortable working in a team, despite all the positive aspects and the friendly atmosphere inside. But we are considering those who have not chosen the path of the “lone wolf” on the warpath, but people who feel comfortable united in working groups.
Working groups can be primary and secondary, official (formal) and informal.
An example of a primary group is small departments within a company, design teams, sports teams or other entertainment-based associations based on direct contacts.
Secondary groups can be factories, communities, conveyor assembly lines, within which workers do not enter into personal contacts with each other, as well as the territorial offices of the company. These groups, as a rule, are less durable and connected than the primary ones, although they are also characterized by the personal interaction of the participants.
Formal groups are created by management for a specific, predetermined purpose. They are also characterized by a high degree of involvement of management in the coordination of their activities, monitoring and determining the nature of the actions they take. Moreover, the structure of the group is clearly defined in advance, the tasks are precisely scheduled.
An informal group can be formed without any involvement from management. It is created by people who feel a common interest. Group norms are developed for them, and a certain attitude to the “outside world” is formed. Those. the group begins to live separately from the "community".
An important factor in the formation of relations within a group are group norms. What is it? Group norms - these are shared by all members of the group views on how to act, or common position, feelings, faith. The standards may relate to production methods, the amount of work to be performed, the degree of readiness (enthusiasm) for the work, the quality of the resulting product, relations with management, how to handle different people, and a whole range of other problems.
For example: if a newcomer enters the group, then he in the group will feel isolated and unprotected and therefore will strive to adopt the norms established in this group that will serve him as a guide in behavior within the group. Group norms determine the further development and progress of the team. If they are not demanding, for example, to quality or strict execution of work on time, then newcomers will subsequently re-adopt this model of work. And vice versa, if a group has high goals and is demanding on the quality of execution, then beginners will quickly absorb this style of work and will try to reach the same level as their colleagues. We are considering just such a case.
How are working groups formed? For the formation and unity of the working group, certain conditions must exist:
• People should be in close contact
• The types of work to be carried out should be connected
• The group should not be very large
• The external threat especially contributes to the formation of groups
In the formed working group, productivity gradually increases, close cooperation is established between the participants, loyalty to the team arises. Individuals value the contributions of other members of the group and accept them as they are. A decision-making system acceptable to all members of the group is established. Everyone is busy with his work and passionate about it. This is the so-called stage of cooperation, or the performing stage of the process.
What behavior is most typical for people within the group?
• Individuals often behave as a group expects, rather than as if they were presented to themselves.
• The group exerts strong pressure on its members to ensure that their conduct complies with their standards and norms.
• Beginners in a group often feel unwanted. In this regard, groups vary greatly in how individuals differ in their abilities to be or not to be accepted by the group.
• Informal leaders appear in the group, changing according to the situation and time.
• Due to the departure of old or the arrival of new members, the character of the group will not change, unless a very influential member leaves or joins it.
• Cohesion and coordination of the group’s actions is enhanced in the event of an external threat or competition with another similar group.
How is group cohesion determined?
The degree to which members of the group feel themselves to be part of it determines the cohesion of the group. Cohesion is manifested in the predominant use in the conversations of the group members of the pronoun “we” instead of “I”, in the mutual assistance of the group members and the level of persistence and enthusiasm shown by them. The degree to which members of the group feel that they are part of it determines the cohesion of the group.
The emergence of group cohesion is facilitated by many factors, and among them the following can be listed:
• Group members often come into direct contact with each other
• Willingness with which the group members support its goals
• The degree of common interest among the group members
• How easy communication is within the group
• etc.
All of the above leads us to an understanding of what the mythical word team often appears on hearing.
A team is a type of group. All teams are groups, but a group will not necessarily behave as a team.
• The team has its own leaders. The authority and authority of the team leader - unlike the group leader - is implicitly accepted by all team members.
• The team leader represents her in the external environment and is officially responsible for her behavior.
• A team is more than a group united by one goal. This is an association of people in which the contribution of each employee complements the work of another, they are linked by a common goal and responsibility for the overall result, a team spirit appears.
• Team members work in an atmosphere of trust. The open expression of ideas, opinions, disagreement, etc. is encouraged. Questions are welcome.
Sources of such an important phenomenon as team spirit are:
• Fair distribution of work and responsibilities within the group, especially when it comes to unattractive or very hard work;
• Clearly designed work programs with realistic deadlines;
• Compatibility of personal characteristics of team members.
Team spirit is the main motivator and driving force, despite all the negative factors that inhibit the process. Teams with a strong inner spirit can turn unsolved issues into fully feasible projects, just because of the enthusiasm and positive mood that drives people forward. Cohesion within the team helps to reduce labor turnover and absenteeism, a more responsible attitude to work and responsiveness in relationships.
PS Do not forget, we are a team.