team beginnings and development

what is the Gersick's punctuated equilibrium model based on

based on inertia and observations sudden bursts of energy, change, and task work behavior

explicit focuses of punctuated equilibrium

deadline, inertia, and "bursts" of activity later in team's life

norm

explicit or implicit standards that govern behavior -help increase predictability and functioning of team

stage models

focus on describing the overall developmental patterns of teams over time

punctuated equilibrium model

focuses primarily on changes in the way that a team works on its task over time

Gersick's punctuated equilibrium model focus

focuses primarily on changes in the way that a team works on its tasks over time -more specific than stage models in this respect

tuckman stage model of development

focuses primarily on the development of internal/social relations, norms and roles over time

5 stages of development

forming, storming, norming, performing, adjourning

when is storming finished

if/when teams begin to settle social disagreements and conflicts

why is conflict important in storming phase

it helps define boundaries and roles

storming

member are engaged in conflict regarding roles, ideas -factions can form based on similar/dissimilar opinions and ideas -dissatisfaction and hostility emerge -conflict is important

adjounring

members are focused on -evaluating the team's work and success -seeking out and providing feedback -expressing feelings about others and the team as a whole -developing plans for future interactions/plans

perfoming

members are focused on completing task work and reaching their goals

Marks et al recurring phase model

not focused on development per se, but does focus on the life/task cycle of a team

transition

periods of time when team focus primarily on evaluation and/or planning activities to guide their accomplishment of a team goal or objective

action

periods of time when teams are engaged in acts that contribute directly to goal accomplishment and task work

roles

prescribed behaviors/responsibilities for member -helps define who does what

norms

rules and expectations the define appropriate and/or inappropriate member behavior, attitudes, and interaction

what model is the early favorite

stage models

2 key phrases for teams

transition and action

when is the norming stage complete?

when roles, goals, plans, etc. are in place and the team is ready to begin working on the task itself

when is adjourning finished

when team disbands, or when they receive a new assignment

when does forming end

when team members become familiar and comfortable interacting with one another

when is performing finished

when the team completes its task (or fails to)

Marks et. al recurring phase model (2)

-Teams engage in a series of task-related cycles that can last minutes, hours, days, months, etc... --Focus shifts among performance, social processes, planning, norm/role negotiation, etc...

criticisms of punctuated equilibrium

-What about groups/teams with well explicated objectives from the start? -Is the ½ way point really critical for every team? -What about social/relationship development?

some factors that influence the power of norms

-clarity and specificity -group cohesion -centrality/importance

stage one of punctuated equilibrium

-direction is generally set by team's first meeting --confusion, uncertainty and politeness -not a lot of task work accomplished -this happens until about 1/2 of the time allotted for the deadline

4 sources of normal development

-explicit statement by supervisors and co-workers -critical events in group's history -primacy (initial behavior patterns that persists) -carry-over behaviors from past situations and experiences

primary functions of norms

-facilitate group survival -help simplify or predict member behavior -help members avoid embarrassment/interpersonal problems -identify and express the central values of the team

forming

-focused mainly on social orientation -generally polite/tentative/uncertain -situation/task is usually new and not clearly defined

norming

-members are focused on negotiating/defining task-related roles -trust team cohesion begins to build and emerge -focus shifts from social aspects tot the task at hand

Criticisms of stage models

-somewhat rigid -development isnt marked by distinct shifts and categories of focus, its more fluid -team may shift, skip or fail to reach certain stages -focus is broad

2 classic types of developmental theories

-stage models -punctuated equilibrium model

Stage 2 (punctuated-equilibrium model)

By the halfway to deadline group focuses an effort to shift to greater rates of task completion -may involve challenging roles, reformulating plans, etc (done hastily)