The Early Phases Of A Collaborative Group

Creating Effective Teams: a Guide for Members and Leaders is a book by Wheelan (2013) designed to do as the title states; guiding members and leaders to create effective teams. Wheelan (2013) begins the book by highlighting the reasons that groups are important. Wheelan (2013) states that throughout history, “Groups have played a major role in both the survival of human beings and the development of human culture” (p. 1). The majority of the book is based on 4 stages that create a group of individuals into an effective team. The first stage is called dependency and inclusion. According to Wheelan (2013), the first stage of the group is

A useful theory to explain our processes and development as a group is Tuckman’s theory of group working which explains the stages that a group will progress through in order to achieve an objective, including the Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing and Adjourning stages (Mindtools, 2016). The forming stage was pre-established for our group because we had been allocated together prior to the task and we had already managed to build relationships with one another. It was at the storming stage we began to establish our roles within the group and allocate tasks for

Whether groups are formed for social or task oriented purposes, the ability to produce and maintain a sense of affiliation, peer support and collaboration is important for overall group functioning. The cohesion of a social group is produced through the establishment of a set of group norms, which are later defined as a guide for conduct accepted within a group of individuals. However, in order for a group to perform and produce results, the team leader should guide his/her team through the proper stages of group development, which includes the following steps: forming, storming, norming, performing and adjourning. Although teams should follow all these stages of group development, the forming and the norming stages are the most important,

Wheelan (2013) identifies the four stages of team development and provides detailed explanation of how a group transforms itself from a stage one group of uncertainty into a successful, highly productive stage four team. This requires work and a thorough understanding of the many internal/external influences that can occur during each stage. A team member or leader who is well versed in these stages and who can evolve with each stage will be better equipped to deal with possible obstacles that can hinder group progress and implement practices to help the group successfully work through a

The four stages of group development are forming, storming, norming, and performing. None of the stages have to go in a particular order. Forming is the first stage where people join together for a reason. Our group formed because this class put us together, which was mainly based on the need to fulfill the goal of passing Small Group Communication and doing a service project together. This happened when we filled out the sheets about our skills and whom we would and would not like to work with. We were then all introduced to our new groups in class.

The Performing stage was the last stage of Bruce Tuckman's four stages of group development until the 70's when Tuckman felt the importance to create an additional fifth stage to his model the "adjourning" which became the last stage. A group (shift) reaches the performing when all it members solves the conflict in the Norming stage therefore had establish the norms of the group and the members are operate as one. Thus, the group identity is finalized, in our experience it was a unique one.

One change I plan on incorporating in my classroom is having students report their findings within group activities. Specifically, designating someone from the group to go out and retrieve information from other groups in regards to their findings. Once that person has obtained the new information reporting it back to their group. In a Science classroom and laboratory, there is a significant emphasis on group collaboration. One of the drawbacks to group work is that it can limit introverted students during the duration of the activity. In a recent article Kimberly Tanner stated “If the decision about who is to share aloud in a class discussion is left entirely to student negotiation, it is no surprise that likely the most extroverted and gregarious

Groups at first undergo a "forming" arrangement in which participants are certain and considerate (Scrivener & Thornbury, 2012). A few participants are anxious because they have not yet worked out precisely the workings of the group. Others are essentially excited concerning the task ahead. As pioneer, you assume a prevailing part at this stage: different parts and obligations are less clear. The group leader assumes the dominant role honestly short, and last for the single meeting at which individuals are acquainted with each one in turn. At this stage, there may be talks about how the group will work, which could be disappointing for a few members who need to get on with the group project.

The team’s evolution will challenge Christine’s adaptability with respect to her leadership traits and with the varying situational contingencies. As the designated Team Coordinator for the group, Christine’s role is to ensure that all team members have an understanding of the team’s goal, delegate and assign responsibilities, organize the group’s structure, convey the group’s purpose, delegate responsibilities, and establish a timeline for the groups’ goals (Hartzell, 2015). The five member team has five weeks to work cohesively on a group project in which the students are to analyze a case study, submit a written analysis, and present to the class, the groups’ analysis of the case study. Immediately the group’s development of the team’s life cycle stages is apparent. At the inception of their first group meeting, the team members’ personalities are revealed. This preliminary stage, known as the forming stage of team development, has two purposes, to become acquainted with each other and to understand the team goal (Hartzell, 2015). Unfortunately, Christine

Groups and teamwork are an essential aspect of everyday life. It is suggested that “groups have the potential to outperform individuals” (Mottola & Utkus, 2009). There are several facets that impact teamwork, including communication, and cooperation. Conflicts and challenges are also important aspects that can occur in teamwork. It is imperative to understand effective models, and actions that can be taken to establish successful work. Experiential learning will be used to analyze a group experience that the author found to be meaningful. Additionally, team dynamic concepts and theories will aid in analyzing the experience.

Integrity is vital in the leader’s life because, leaders are called to represent Christ. The ministry leader’s personal and public lives must align with that of Christ. That alignment defines integrity.

Collaboration consists of a few fundamental components such as the willingness to listen and learn from each other, sharing one’s own ideas and perspectives, having respect for each other, working together to achieve a common goal, and being responsible for the self and the whole group. A group has to collaborate in order to deliberate and achieve their common goal because the three phases of deliberation: information gathering, decision-making, and reflection, all refer back to the ability to collaborate with each other. While working in a group, group members should always work toward the goal of becoming a good leader, “a person who makes the groups she or he works in better” (Practice Deliberation as Citizenship, Gene Edgar) by being a responsible and respectful group member, and also being someone who is willing to go the extra miles to make sure everyone in the group is feeling comfortable presenting their ideas in the group.

All the parties involved; The Woodson foundation, the school district and the NCPIE all ultimately have the same goal, which is to have a successful school system in the D.C. area. To start off, I would first define a group to have a better understanding of what these three parties want to build to know where they stand in the development stage. The text defines a group as “two or more individuals, interacting and interdependent, who have come together to achieve particular objectives.” (Robbins 272), and to be more specific this group would be a formal group as they are brought together for a task/ project. There are five stages of group development which are; forming, storming,

The personal style and personalities of each member in a group may be influence their team effectiveness. Individuals will tend to play an important role in a group and depend on their personality and working group style. To improve a team and effectiveness in project or working, each team member need to understand the role of every member in a group. With 3 contemporary theories of team roles to use in our group is:

While team production performance is something that can be easily measured, leaders must also recognize that there will be difficulties of evaluating a team’s performance. “Measuring intangible items such as communication, team leadership, meeting effectiveness, cooperation, and problem-solving ability is more difficult for management than measuring the productive processes,” (Buckenmeyer, 1996). Therefore, the team appraisal system must be unique in its methods. Members must have a clear understanding of the team and their role in order for the team to function and rewards and evaluation process should be determined and be clearly defined so that each team knows what the expectations are. Each team will undergo internal processes to create team charters and establish procedures to deal with conflicts such as social loafing and to overcome obstacles. Team member performance and rewards will be dependent upon each individual member creating a peer pressure to excel and discouraging social loafing.