Understanding Teams (ch. 1)
What distinguishes a team from a regular group?
Interdependence, shared goals, and collective accountability.
Name the three outcomes used to define team success.
*Task accomplishment
*Positive relationships
*Individual well-being
What are team norms?
Shared expectations for behavior within a team.
What is social loafing?
Reduced effort by individuals when working in a group.
What are shared mental models?
Common understandings about tasks, roles, and processes.
What term describes the dynamic patterns of interaction that influence how teams function?
Group dynamics.
What happens when a team meets its goal but damages relationships and morale?
The team is not truly successful.
When do team norms usually form?
Early in the team’s life.
What reduces social loafing the most?
Accountability and visible individual contributions.
What system describes knowing who has what expertise on a team?
Transactive memory system.
Why do organizations increasingly rely on teams instead of individuals?
Tasks are complex and require diverse skills, collaboration, and shared problem-solving.
What organizational factors support effective teamwork the most?
*Resources
*Support
*Aligned reward systems
What is group socialization?
The process of integrating new members into a team.
What term describes the strength of bonds between members and their team?
Group cohesion.
What is reflexivity in teams?
Reflecting on and improving team processes.
What concept explains how people define themselves based on team membership?
Social identity.
What mindset views teamwork as an ongoing learning and improvement process?
A teaming mindset.
Why are unclear goals dangerous for teams?
They cause confusion, misaligned effort, and conflict.
Why can high cohesion sometimes hurt team performance?
It may discourage critical thinking or honest disagreement.
Why is communication more challenging in virtual teams?
Fewer social cues and increased risk of misunderstanding.
Why is communication essential in team effectiveness?
It coordinates actions, builds trust, clarifies roles, and aligns goals
Why can teamwork sometimes reduce efficiency instead of improving it?
Poor communication, coordination problems, and unclear roles.
What tool helps teams clarify goals, roles, and expectations early on?
A team charter.
What type of role focuses on maintaining relationships and harmony?
Social roles.
What communication behavior most improves learning and adaptation in teams?
Open feedback and reflection.