Group Dynamics

The interactions that take place among the members of a group. 

Group dynamics deals with the attitudes and behavioral patterns of a group. Group
dynamics concern how groups are formed, what is their structure and which
processes are followed in their functioning. Thus, it is concerned with the interactions
and forces
Group Decision Making
Decision making is the process whereby a final but best choice is made among the
available alternatives.  
When the decisions are taken jointly it is group decision making.
Process of decision making
a. Diagnosing the problem
b. Developing alternatives 
c. Evaluating the alternatives 
d. Selecting the best alternative
e. Implementing and monitoring the decision
 Advantages of group decision making
a. Compared to an individual, the groups usually have a greater
knowledge, expertise and skill base to make better decisions.
b. Large number of members provide more perspectives of the
problem.
c. Helps to reach at a quality decision. 
Disadvantages:- 
(a) It is a time consuming process. 
(b) Influence groups usually manipulate the group decision in a
direction of their liking and interest.
(c) Sometimes, group decisions are simply a compromise between the
various views and opinions offered by the group members
 
 Techniques / Methods to improve group decision
making
(i) Brainstorming
(ii) Nominal group technique
(iii) Delphi Technique
(iv) Consensus Mapping
Quality Circle
QC is a small group of employees who work voluntarily on company
time, to address work related problems such as quality control, cost
reduction, production planning and techniques and even product
design.
Objectives of QC
•Improvement in quality of product
•Improvement in the methods of production and productivity.
•Promoting morale of employees. 
 Team
A team is a small number of people have complementary skills and are committed to
a common purpose or common performance goals for which they hold themselves
mutually responsible.
It creates positive synergy
Types of Teams:
1. Problem solving teams - Problem solving team, known as corrective action team
2. Self- managed team - characterized by empowerment, self plan, self inspection
3. Work teams -developing and manufacturing new products, providing services
4. Cross functional -drawn from different departments or functional specialists
5. Virtual teams- Never actually meet together -electronic information systems.
6. Management teams- Management teams consist of managers from various areas.
 
 
 Effective Team Building (stages)
(a) Do pre-work 
What is the need for building a team, what authority the team should have.
b) Create performance conditions
It involves making both material resources (e.g., toolsand money) and human
resources (e.g., skilled personnel) available to the teams.
c) Form and build the team
This stage involves three things to be done. First, clarify who is a member and who is
not a member of a team. Second, arrive at an agreement about the overall mission
and purpose. Third, clarify the behavior expected of each member.
(d) Provide ongoing assistance
It needs to be provided with needed and timely assistance to keep it ongoing. For
this managers may interfere to eliminate team problems if any.
Also depends on:
(a) Cooperation (b) Trust
Measures for building trust are Communication Support Respect  Fairness
  (c) Training
  (d) Rewards
 Interpersonal relationship
A strong bond between two or more people refers to
interpersonal relationship.
Forms of Interpersonal relationship
•Individuals working together in the same organization.
•People working in the same team.
•Relationship between a man and a woman (Love, Marriage).
•Relationship with immediate family members and relatives.
•Relationship of a child with his parents.
•Relationship between friends.
There are two possibilities in a relationship:
Possibility - 1:
Two people might start a relationship as mere strangers.
Possibility - 2:
Two people might start off well but soon face problems. In such
cases individuals decide to move on from a relationship for a fresh start
 Stages in
1. First Stage – Acquaintance
Interpersonal relationship
Acquaintance refers to knowing each other. Need to know each other well.

2. Second Stage – The Build up Stage

This is the stage when the relationship actually grows. Individuals are no longer strangers and
start trusting each other. Must be compatible with each other

3. Third Stage – Continuation Stage

This is the stage when relationship blossoms into lasting commitments. Decide to be in each
other’s company and tie the knot. Trust and transparency is essential for the charm to stay in
relationship forever.

4. Fourth Stage – Deterioration

Not all relationships pass through this stage. Lack of compatibility, trust, love and care often
lead to misunderstandings and serious troubles in relationship.
5. Fifth Stage – The Termination Stage
The fifth and the last stage is the end of a relationship.
Relationship terminates due to any of the following reasons
– Death of any one partner
– Divorce
– Separation
An ideal relationship results in lasting commitments and marriages whereas there are
some relationships which do start on a positive note but end abruptly.
 Various factors affecting interpersonal relationship
1. Compatibility
Must be compatible with each other. There should be no scope of conflicts
2. Communication
Feelings must be expressed and reciprocated in relationships. Individuals need to communicate
with each other effectively for better understanding.
3. Honesty
Be honest in relationships. Do not lie or hide things from your partner. Remember every problem
has a solution. Think before you speak. Transparency is important in relationships.
4. Stay calm
Do not overreact on petty things in relationships. Stay calm. Be a little more adjusting. Be the first
one to say “Sorry”. It will solve half of your problems.
5. Forgiving
An individual needs to be a little more forgiving in relationships. Do not drag issues unnecessarily.
Fighting over small issues is foolish and makes the situation all the more worse.
6. Smile
As they say “Smile is a curve that makes everything straight.” Flash your smile more often. It
works. Take care of your facial expressions while interacting with the other person.
7. Time
Time plays an important role in relationships. Individuals in love must spend adequate time to
know each other better.