Group Dynamics

Group Dynamics

Steps in the group forming stage

In the forming stage, members meet and start learning about each other. Members also relax and want to build trust and a basic relationship with each other. Work is not the main focus in the forming stage. The main focus is for members to have a better understanding of each other by sharing their social origin and build relationships with one another the first step in the forming stage is developing a principle purpose for the group. This purpose helps the group to know what they are working towards achieving (Runkel et.al. 2018). The group leader is responsible for coming up with a clear motive for the group so that the members of the group can work towards achieving the set objectives. The next step is to decide on the conceptual format on how to group the team members to their respective tasks and also how the group will operate thereon. The next step is to take into account the empirical part of the group operation. For example, where and when the groups are scheduled to meet, the resources available for them to use, and who will be held accountable for whatever happens in the group. In this case, the group members should be within the same geographical location for the group to function effectively.

Another step is to draft a coarse project schedule and discuss how each and every objective of the group will be achieved. That is, what each member should do so as to effectively and efficiently meet the objectives. It is then necessary to make the group known to the public so as to determine how people perceive the group. Sometimes members who are not qualified to be in the group, so screening of the members is done so as to determine those that are fit to join the group. Choosing leaders is another step in the forming stage. Appropriate leaders have to be interviewed and selected carefully in order to select embers who are able to perform their roles effectively ( Castelleo et.al. 2020). The selected leaders have to be trained so as to improve their skills. It is also important to come up with rules that are to be followed to the latter by all group members.

According to Castelleo et.al. (2020), developing a purpose for the group is crucial because an understandable and clear motive of a group enables the group to work towards attaining its objectives. It also gives the group a sense of direction. The group leader should be able to harmonize the members to work towards achieving the set goals. Without the set objectives to guide the group members to work smart, the group will lose its focus.

Useful procedures for the beginning stage of a group.

Determining roles, selecting who will be in charge, and the various leadership posts that need to be filled. Members have equal chances of being selected, and those who are assertive always take up the role of being a group leader. Goals are also defined at the beginning. The final outcomes expected of each member and how these goals are to be realized and the challenges they may face while pursuing these goals are also defined. The schedule is also determined; that is where the groups will meet when they will meet, and the specified period they’ll meet to discuss their agendas. Defining clear roles and responsibilities among the group members will also create accountability. Having a well-defined schedule in place will avoid confusion and delays that may hinder team performance (Waller, Okhuysen & Saghafian, 2016)

Issues that occur in the forming stage of a group.

Lack of participation and absenteeism of members is a people’s problem in a group that limits the generation of good ideas. This lowers the team performing morale and thus hinders the ability to make good decisions concerning the welfare of the group, which will make it hard for the team to easily realize its objectives.  A procedural problem in a group can be lack of proper channels of two-way communication that is if the group leader does not properly communicate with the members and ask for their opinions in any matter of the group or fail to establish a way in which all members can freely air their views and grievances about certain issues (Runkel et.al.1971).

I recently discovered that I have a temperament issue. This means that I am prone to having unaccommodating changes of mood. According to the Johari window model, which is a psychological tool that shows how people relate and understand each other from a group perspective.. The blind aspect of the model which states that people have traits that they don’t know about but are known by others. Johari’s model helped me to learn about my temperament trait. This is because the other members of the group identified this trait in me, and they made me aware of it even though I was not aware of it from the beginning.

As a leader, this temperament trait. It helps me to be task-oriented and determined to achieve the objectives set for the team in time. I am also self- motivated because I like it when things are done perfectly; thus, I have to be more than motivated to realize the objectives. I always set my standards high so that even if I fail in the first attempt, I’ll still be motivated to try again and keep on trying until I achieve my set standard. When a leader is motivated, the entire team also gets motivated to perform best.

References

Castelloe, E., Hutchens, Z. L., Kannappan, S., Berlind, A., Eckert, K., Calderon, V., & Team, R. (2020). Finding Galaxy Groups in the Early Stages of Formation in the RESOLVE Survey. AAS, 52, 207-36.

Runkel, P. J., Lawrence, M., Oldfield, S., Rider, M., & Clark, C. (1971). Stages of group development: An empirical test of Tuckman’s hypothesis. The Journal of Applied Behavioral Science, 7(2), 180-193.

Waller, M. J., Okhuysen, G. A., & Saghafian, M. (2016). Conceptualizing emergent states: A strategy to advance the study of group dynamics. The Academy of Management Annals, 10(1), 561-598.