Groups and Teams Supplemental

How to avoid groupthink’s

• be aware of team size

• Encourage different perspectives

• Structure discussion principles

• Beware of time pressure

Be aware of team size

For larger teams ,less personal responsibility is possible (diffusion of responsibility)

Encourage different perspectives

Highlight the problem which accompany a singular view

Structure discussion principles

Record all alternative suggested and revisit

Beware of time pressure

Stress can impair the effectiveness of team decision making

Group diversity: why it matters and what to expect

Diversity comes in many forms

• it’s not just about race or gender — think backgrounds, experiences, majors, personalities

• It can feel harder at first

• Different views = more understanding

• It might take longer to “click” as a team

• You’ll need more patience and open-mindedness

But…it’s worth it

• diverse groups ask better questions

• They’re more creative and solve complex problems better

• You learn more when you work with people,e who don;t think

Team roles: who does what snd why it matters

What are team roles?

• they’re the jobs or behaviors people take on in a group

• Think: organizer, motivator, note-taker, devil’s advocate

Some roles are assigned

• based on titles or tasks

• “You’re the presenter” “you’re in charge of research

Some roles just emerge

• based on what the group needs

• Someone becomes the cheerleader, the mediator, or the mentor — even of it’s not official

watch out for role conflict

• sometime roles overlap or clash

• Like when two people both try to lead, or when someone’s role doesn’t match their strengths

Real talk

• in group projects, roles aren’t just about who does what — they shape how the team works together