The Forgotten Group Member Mgmt 591
Case Study Assignment: The Forgotten Group Member
(Schermerhorn 2012, p. W-113) Part I: Group Development
According to Schermerhorn (2012, page 147), "A team is a group of people holding themselves collectively accountable for using complementary skills to achieve a common purpose." The stages of team or group development as defined by Tuckman (Schermerhorn 2012, p. 156) are forming, storming, norming, performing and adjourning. Depending on the current stage of group development, leaders and members can face different challenges and the resulting team is more or less effective (page 156). The forming stage focuses around the initial entry of members to a team. The storming stage is one of high emotionality and tension among team members. The norming stage is where members start to work together as a coordinated team. The performing stage marks the emergence of a mature and well-functioning team and the adjourning stage is where teams disband when their work is finished.
In reference to the case, "The Forgotten Group Member", found on page W-113 of Schermerhorn (2012), the team remains in the storming stage-- one of "high emotionality and tension among team members" (Schermerhorn 2012, p. 157). Tension and emotionality are demonstrated in the case with Mike 's absence and incomplete contribution, as well as his sarcastic reaction in the cafeteria based on the incorrect assumption the team was meeting without him. Conflict is also illustrated in the case by the anxiety and pressure experienced by the leader as the deadline approaches. Although she notes deep concern and empathy for Mike 's situation, she admits to feeling distracted by Mike 's lack of participation and engagement in the group and cannot focus on her accounting course work. By understanding the stages of group development, Christine would see the need to intervene as a leader to manage the tension and emotionality through maintenance leadership tasks to clarify, encourage, support, redirect
(Schermerhorn 2012, p. W-113) Part I: Group Development
According to Schermerhorn (2012, page 147), "A team is a group of people holding themselves collectively accountable for using complementary skills to achieve a common purpose." The stages of team or group development as defined by Tuckman (Schermerhorn 2012, p. 156) are forming, storming, norming, performing and adjourning. Depending on the current stage of group development, leaders and members can face different challenges and the resulting team is more or less effective (page 156). The forming stage focuses around the initial entry of members to a team. The storming stage is one of high emotionality and tension among team members. The norming stage is where members start to work together as a coordinated team. The performing stage marks the emergence of a mature and well-functioning team and the adjourning stage is where teams disband when their work is finished.
In reference to the case, "The Forgotten Group Member", found on page W-113 of Schermerhorn (2012), the team remains in the storming stage-- one of "high emotionality and tension among team members" (Schermerhorn 2012, p. 157). Tension and emotionality are demonstrated in the case with Mike 's absence and incomplete contribution, as well as his sarcastic reaction in the cafeteria based on the incorrect assumption the team was meeting without him. Conflict is also illustrated in the case by the anxiety and pressure experienced by the leader as the deadline approaches. Although she notes deep concern and empathy for Mike 's situation, she admits to feeling distracted by Mike 's lack of participation and engagement in the group and cannot focus on her accounting course work. By understanding the stages of group development, Christine would see the need to intervene as a leader to manage the tension and emotionality through maintenance leadership tasks to clarify, encourage, support, redirect
References: Schermerhorn, R. Organizational Behavior. 12th. Ed. 2012