Group Dynamics and Team Interventions Understanding and Improving Team Performance

Organizations thrive or struggle as a result of interactions among team members. To optimize the performance of teams, Group Dynamics and Team Interventions bridges the gap between the most up-to-date academic research findings about group behavior and real-life practice. Chapters summarize the theories behind group and team behavior while offering proven application and intervention techniques that can be utilized in workplace settings. Topics addressed include team formation and development; understanding culture and team diversity; improving team cohesion, decision making, and problem solving; managing and reducing team conflict; team leadership, power, and influence; and others. Brief case studies and interventions that illustrate each theory help to enhance the clarity of the topics.

Group Dynamics and Team Interventions will benefit academics and practitioners alike, who gain from a better understanding of the dynamics that inform team behavior, along with assessment tools and practical intervention techniques to create and maintain a high-performing team.

Acknowledgements xx

Part I Introduction 1

1 Introduction to Teams 3

2 Methods of Assessing and Evaluating Team Functioning 18

Part II Inputs 43

3 Team Theories and Concepts 45

4 Understanding Culture and Diversity 70

5 Preparing the Environment for Teamwork 93

Part III Processes 109

6 Improving Small Group Communication and Trust 111

7 Improving Creativity and Innovation 137

8 Improving Problem Solving and Decision Making 157

9 Understanding Cohesion and Collaboration 176

10 Reducing Dysfunctional Conflict and Improving Cooperation 199

11 Influence, Power, and Leadership 229

12 Working in Virtual Teams 259

Part IV Outputs 281

13 Searching for Synergy: Creating a High-Performing Team 283

Appendix: Improving Team Meetings 300

References 307

Index 340

Timothy M. Franz is a Professor of Psychology at St. John Fisher College. His area of expertise is small group and team processes. In addition, he is an experienced applied researcher, specializing in conducting focus groups, interviews, and surveys. He has published in journals such as the Journal of the American Medical Association and the Journal of Applied Psychology.