Do you know how group dynamics work?

[seonajmulislam00]

'Group dynamics' is a term coined by Kurt Lewin , a social psychologist who founded the Group Dynamics Research Center at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) . He observed that people working in groups, whether in an office or a retail chain, typically adopt certain behaviors and roles.

These processes of interaction between people refer to the impact that these behaviors and roles have on other members of the group , as well as on the group as a whole. Groups with good dynamics have several characteristics: members trust each other, take responsibility for each other's work, and find it easy to reach a collective decision. However, a group with poor dynamics experiences interruptions in its work and makes decision-making difficult.

So what are the main causes of a group dynamic that doesn't work ?

- Weak leadership : If the team leader is weak, someone else in the group is likely to take over matters, which is likely to trigger infighting.

- Free rider problem - also known as the parasitic qatar number data consumer problem. This situation occurs when some members of the group relax and leave all the work to their companions.

- Groupthink : People are not willing to spend their time exploring different options before making a decision. Therefore, decisions are made simply based on group consensus without taking into account the opinions of others.

- Evaluation apprehension : This happens when people perceive that other group members are judging them harshly. As a result, they choose to withhold their contribution.

- Blocking : Group members take on roles that end up disrupting the flow of information. Some of these roles may include:

The Denier: This person generally criticizes other people's ideas.
The aggressor: someone who always disagrees.
The Attention Seeker: This group member has a tendency to dominate discussions and be the center of attention.
The Retractor: This individual does not get involved in discussions.
The joker: has a tendency to inject humor at the wrong time.
A group of young people gathered together
You may be interested in: What kind of boss are you?

Tips to improve group dynamics
Meet the team
Every team goes through several stages before becoming a strong group. Here are the stages of group formation according to psychologist Bruce Tuckman :

Forming : This is the stage where groups have just formed and members are getting to know each other. At this point, people are still unsure of their roles.
Storming : This phase is characterized by conflicts due to different personalities and where working styles clash. Team members might also begin to challenge leadership and question team goals.
Normative : This is where they begin to appreciate their diversity and respect their superiors. There is a stronger commitment to the group's goal.
Performance : In this, the work of the team members is translated into the achievement of the group's objectives. Conflicts are minimal and group processes and structures are established.
Define roles and responsibilities
When people don't understand their role in the team, the group ends up developing poor dynamics. To avoid this, you need to make sure that team members first understand the group's mission and goals. Then you need to specify the responsibilities of each individual.

Breaking the barriers
One of the best ways to break down barriers is through team building exercises. Meeting for coffee or going out to eat together can be activities that allow group members to get to know each other better, thereby improving relationships. Team building is especially important when new members have joined the team.