MGT Ch. 12: TEAM PROCESSES & COMMUNICATION

What is process gain?

Process gain, or synergy, occurs when a team performs better than expected based on the capabilities of individual members.

What is process loss?

Process loss occurs when a team performs worse than expected due to coordination or motivational issues.

What causes process loss?

Motivational loss (e.g., social loafing) and coordination loss (e.g., inefficient task integration).

How do Tuckman and Gersick's models of team development differ?

Tuckman’s model is linear (forming, storming, norming, performing, adjourning), while Gersick’s model is cyclical and driven by external events like deadlines.

What is surface-level diversity?

Observable traits such as race, gender, age, and ethnicity.

What is deep-level diversity?

Non-observable traits such as values, attitudes, and personality.

What is taskwork?

Team member activities that relate directly to task accomplishment, like creative behavior, decision making, and boundary spanning.

What is teamwork?

Interpersonal activities that support taskwork, including planning, communication, and conflict resolution.

What are teamwork processes?

Transition, Action, and Interpersonal processes that help teams coordinate and perform.

What is a transition process?

Teamwork activities that prepare the team for future work (e.g., goal setting, strategy formulation).

When do transition processes occur?

Before beginning work or between periods of taskwork.

What is an action process?

Teamwork activities that occur during work and focus on goal accomplishment (e.g., monitoring progress).

When do action processes occur?

During the performance of taskwork.

What is an interpersonal process?

Activities focused on managing relationships, including conflict management and motivation.

When do interpersonal processes occur?

Throughout the entire team experience.

What is task conflict?

Disagreements related to the team’s task, which can be constructive if managed properly.

What is relationship conflict?

Personal disagreements that are typically harmful to team effectiveness.

What is the difference between task conflict and relationship conflict?

Task conflict is about the work and can be beneficial; relationship conflict is personal and often destructive.

What are the 10 barriers to communication?

Physical noise, psychological noise, emotions, channel weakness, selective perception, filtering, information overload, language barriers, culture, and task interdependence issues.

What is physical noise in communication?

Environmental distractions that interfere with receiving a message (e.g., loud room).

What is psychological noise in communication?

Mental distractions, like stress or anxiety, that prevent message focus.

What is filtering in communication?

When the sender only shares selective or biased information with the receiver.

What is information overload?

Receiving too much information, which impairs understanding and decision-making.

What is selective perception?

When individuals only notice information that interests or supports their viewpoint.

What is a language barrier?

When sender and receiver use different languages or jargon that hinders understanding.

How can culture affect communication?

Different cultural norms and practices can alter how messages are interpreted.

What are 6 ways management teams can have a good fight?

Focus on facts, multiply the alternatives, create common goals, use humor, balance power, and seek consensus with qualification.

What does “focus on facts” mean in team conflict resolution?

Encourage evidence-based discussion rather than emotional arguments.

Why is multiplying the alternatives helpful in conflict?

Exploring multiple solutions broadens the team’s thinking and reduces defensiveness.

What does it mean to create common goals during team conflict?

Align team interests to promote collaboration over competition.

How can humor help in conflict?

It defuses tension and keeps team members relaxed and open.

What does balancing the power structure mean?

Ensure all team members have equal say and avoid dominance by one individual.

What does "seek consensus with qualification" mean?

If consensus can’t be reached, let the most qualified member make the final call.