Understanding Group Dynamics: Create a High Performing Team

Friday, September 3, 2010 8:12 PM by Betty Brennan in Professional and Industry Tips


Last week, a few of us went to a presentation by Pat Murray on Group Dynamics.  Since we all work in groups, it is good to know the psychology of groups.  We are a social animal.  Our behaviors, character, identity, status and place in the world all come from imprinting from our groups.  These groups could include our family, military, corporate, religious and other social organizations.  Groups are a mental configuration.  There is no individual action there is only group action.  Connection to a group is a requirement for human survival.  Many people don’t get over being dumped from a group.  Long-term military people die, on average, 18-months after leaving the military.

Group Dynamics: Interviewing Questions

Learning more about group dynamics can help organizations recruit better and lead better.  When hiring a new person to join your group the only important decision is do they fit or not.  Here are some questions you could ask during an interview to get to know that person’s groups:

•    Walk me through your resume, take as long as you want.  When the energy goes up ask more questions.  That is their group.

•    Walk me through your heroes and role models.

•    Can you give me some examples of when you have sacrificed a great deal to maintain personal integrity?

•    Can you walk me through everything you are sure of?

Pat said any statement in an interview that can’t be backed up with a concrete example is probably a lie.  That seems a bit extreme to me as people are nervous when interviewing.  Yet, know that past behavior is the best indicator of future behavior.  Getting examples from their past is a good way to know how they might fit.

Role of the Leader

The role of a leader is to maximize connection and minimize separation in the group.  The leader helps the group deal with the real issues.  Real issues come with high anxiety.  A high performing group will confront this issue.  When the group feels safe enough to speak up and deal with the real issues you have a high performing group.  If you see people go to silence during a meeting.  Or the real meeting is in the bathroom after a meeting.  Then your group needs to work on communicating more effectively.  On a basic level you need to get reality on the table and confront it.  This will help build trust, relief and energy in your group.

The Right Team

I believe Taylor Studios has a high performing group.  This took 18 years of getting the right team, culture, values, rules and processes built.  We used to deal with small issues in our meetings like why someone didn’t follow a rule.  Now we can deal with bigger issues like offering our clients more value than the competition.  Our team is excited and energized about the company’s future.  We have a shared fate.  When you have this type of group dynamics it is exciting to come to work everyday.

What groups do you come from?  How are the group dynamics where you work?

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