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REVIEW AND APPLICATIONS
CHAPTER SUMMARY
10-1 Define a group and describe the stages of group development. A group is two or more
interacting and interdependent individuals who come together to achieve specific goals. Formal
The forming stage consists of two phases: joining the group and defining the group’s
purpose, structure, and leadership. The storming stage is one of intragroup conflict over
10-2 Describe the major concepts of group behavior. A role refers to a set of behavior patterns
expected of someone occupying a given position in a social unit. At any given time, employees
adjust their role behaviors to the group of which they are a part. Norms are standards shared by
group members. They informally convey to employees which behaviors are acceptable and
10-3 Discuss how groups are turned into effective teams. Effective teams have common
characteristics. They have adequate resources, effective leadership, a climate of trust, and a
performance evaluation and reward system that reflects team contributions. These teams have
individuals with technical expertise as well as problem-solving, decision-making, and
10-4 Discuss contemporary issues in managing teams. The challenges of managing global teams
can be seen in the team composition factors, especially the diverse cultural characteristics; in
Managers also need to know when teams are not the answer. They can do this by
assessing whether the work can be done better by more than one person; by whether the
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
10-1 Think of a group to which you belong (or have belonged). Trace its development
through the stages of group development as shown in Exhibit 10-2. How closely did its
development parallel the group development model? How might the group
development model be used to improve this group’s effectiveness?
Answer: Students’ answers will vary. Students’ responses should include an explanation of
each stage. Forming is characterized by a great deal of uncertainty about the group’s
10-2 Contrast (a) self-managed and cross-functional teams and (b) virtual and face-to-face
teams.
Answer: A self-managed work team is a formal group of employees that operates without
a manager and is responsible for a complete work process or segment that delivers a
This type of team consists of employees from about the same hierarchical level but from
different work areas in the organization. They are brought together to accomplish a
A virtual team is an extension of the electronic meetings discussed in Chapter 4. A virtual
10-3 How do you explain the popularity of work teams in countries such as the United States
and Canada, whose national cultures place a high value on individualism?
Answer: The current popularity of teams comes from the fact that teams typically
outperform individuals when the tasks being done require multiple skills, judgment, and
10-4 “All work teams are work groups, but not all work groups are work teams.” Do you
agree or disagree with this statement? Discuss.
10-5 Would you prefer to work alone or as part of a team? Why?
Answer: Student answers will vary. Some students like to work independently while
10-6 “To have a successful team, first find a great leader.” What do you think of this
statement? Do you agree? Why or why not?
10-7 What traits do you think good team players have? Do some research to answer this
question and write a short report detailing your findings using a bulleted list format.
10-8 Contrast the pros and cons of diverse teams.
Answer: Diversity that exists on a work team can help identify creative or unique
10-9 How do you think scientific management theorists would react to the increased use of
teams in organizations? How would behavioral science theorists react?
10-10 What challenges do managers face in managing global teams? How should those
challenges be handled?
Answer: The challenges of managing global teams can be seen in the group member
MyManagementLab
Students can find the following assisted-graded writing questions at
mymanagementlab.com. Answers to these questions are graded against rubrics in the
MyLab.
10-11 Why is it important for managers to know about the stages of group development?
10-12 What characteristics do effective teams need?
Management Skill Builder: Developing Your Coaching Skills
Organizations have become increasingly designed around teams. Twenty years ago, the
individual was the basic building block of an organization. Today, it’s teams. As the manager,
you need to be able to effectively lead and coach a team. Without those skills, you’re likely to
have a short tenure in your management position.
Personal Inventory Assessment: Diagnosing the Need for Team Building
Part of being a coach who wants to create and manage an effective team means knowing when a
team needs help. Use this PIA to assess teams you’re leading or are part of.
Skill Basics
You can learn to be a good team coach by practicing these behaviors:
1. Analyze ways to improve the team’s performance and capabilities.
2. Create a supportive climate.
3. Influence team members to change their behavior.
Practicing the Skill
You’re the leader of a five-member project team that’s been assigned the task of moving
your engineering firm into the growing area of high-intensity rail construction. You and
your team members have been researching the field, identifying specific business
opportunities, negotiating alliances with equipment vendors, and evaluating high-speed
rail experts and consultants from around the world. Throughout the process, Tonya, a
highly qualified and respected engineer has challenged a number of things you’ve said
during team meetings and in the workplace. Other team members are complaining that
Tonya’s actions are damaging team effectiveness.
Form three-member teams in class. Each team should analyze the leader’s problem as
presented in the text and suggest solutions for coaching Tonya (and possibly the other
team members). Each class team should be prepared to present its conclusions in class.
Experential Exercise
Colorado State High School Sports Association
To: Eric Gershman, Manager, Program Infractions Investigations
From: Audrey Costa, Director of Association Services
Subject: Conflicts on Investigation Teams
Eric’s boss has been receiving complaints that the members of the five-person investigation
teams sent out to high schools to investigate allegations of rules infractions are having conflicts.
Because these team members have to work closely together in interviewing people, interpreting
the rules, and writing up reports, Audrey is worried that this conflict may be hurting the quality
of the team’s investigation process.
Eric must create a bulleted list (no longer than a page) describing how you’re going to address
this problem and get it to Audrey as soon as possible.
Teaching Tip: Students may use the Skills Basic section above and apply these options
to this case. Students can also search for books in the library and find examples of books
on conflict resolution, for example Google Dale Carnegie’s classic, How to Win Friends
and Influence People.
Case Application 1: Rx: Teamwork
Discussion Questions
10-14 What challenges are managers of health-care organizations facing?
10-15 How would the way health-care organization managers manage be different in a
team-based model?
10-16 Explain how roles, norms, status systems, and group cohesiveness might influence the
success of a team-based model.
10-17 What are some reasons you think a team-based model has led to improved patient
outcomes and reduced costs?
Case Application 2: The Cardinal Way
Discussion Questions
10-18 How does the St. Louis Cardinals organization epitomize teamwork?
10-19 Do you think sports teams, like the St. Louis Cardinals, go through the stages of group
development? Why or why not?
10-20 Using Exhibit 10-6 as your guide, discuss how the St. Louis Cardinals organization
creates effective teams.
10-21 What could other organizations (even non-sports ones) learn from the St. Louis
Cardinals?
The success of the St. Louis Cardinals is clearly illustrated by its outstanding record since
2011. Other organizations can learn the importance of cultivating talent, focusing on the
Case Application 3: Teaming Up for Take Off
Discussion Questions
10-22 What type of team(s) do these employee teams appear to be? Explain.
Boeing is using cross-functional teams. Cross-functional teams bring together people
10-23 As this story illustrated, sometimes it may take a long time for a team to reach its goal.
As a manager, how would you motivate a team to keep on trying?
10-24 What role do you think a team leader needs to play in this type of setting? Explain.
10-25 Using Exhibit 10-6, what characteristics of effective teams would these teams need?
Explain.
Students may pick any of the characteristics listed in this exhibit. Just make sure they are
