Group and Team Management

These flashcards cover key vocabulary related to group and team management concepts, including definitions, stages of development, and types of teams.

Group

Two or more interacting and interdependent individuals who come together to achieve specific goals.

Formal Groups

Work groups defined by the organization’s structure with designated work assignments and tasks directed at accomplishing organizational goals.

Informal Groups

Social groups formed for casual interaction, such as shared activities like lunch breaks.

Stages of Group Development

The five stages are forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning.

Storming

The second stage of group development characterized by intragroup conflict over leadership and direction.

Norming

The third stage of group development characterized by close relationships and cohesiveness among group members.

Performing

The fourth stage where the group is fully functional and effectively works on the group task.

Adjourning

The final stage of group development where temporary groups wrap up activities.

Social Loafing

The tendency for individuals to exert less effort when working in a group compared to working alone.

Group Cohesiveness

The degree to which members are attracted to a group and share its goals, positively impacting productivity.

Work Teams

Groups whose members work intensely on a specific, common goal with positive synergy and mutual accountability.

Problem-Solving Team

A team from the same department involved in efforts to improve work activities or solve specific problems.

Self-Managed Work Team

A team that operates without a manager and is responsible for a complete work process.

Cross-Functional Team

A work team composed of individuals from various functional specialties.

Virtual Team

A work team that uses technology to link physically dispersed members to achieve a common goal.

Effective Teams

Teams characterized by clear goals, relevant skills, mutual trust, unified commitment, good communication, negotiating skills, and appropriate leadership.