TEAM BUILDING

Unit no. 3
Unit Title: Professional Practice
 Formal Groups
“A formal group is formed when  people come together to accomplish
specific goals and objectives. An official group has particular structures and
roles where responsibilities of members of the group are defined.”
 Formal Groups
• A formal group can be a command group or a functional group.
• It is relatively permanent is composed of managers and their subordinates.
• To meet regularly to discuss general and specific ideas to improve product
or service.
• The formal groups work under a single supervisor, even though the
structure of these groups may vary. 
 Informal Groups
“An informal group is formed when two or more people come together to
accomplish a specific task which is mainly socially geared. The main idea
behind the establishment of the informal group is the satisfaction of both
personal and psychological needs.”
 Informal Groups
• Informal groups are not subjected to any rules and regulations in the company.
• The members of this group willingly belong to this group.
• There are no explicit guidelines that govern the operations of an informal group.
•  Created spontaneously as soon as individuals start interacting with each other.
• The affiliations are based on the interests, interactions, activities and sentiments.
• The bonds between members are very strong and bring in a sense of belonging
and togetherness. 
 Difference Between Formal & Informal
Groups
• Formation of Formal and Informal Groups
Formal Informal
The management of the company An informal group is voluntarily
deliberately forms formal groups to formed by members coming together to
achieve specific tasks. This means that satisfy their personal and psychological
some rules and regulations guide the needs. One can join and leave the group
formation of a formal group. One when he or she decides.
cannot leave the group without the
authority of the management.
 Difference Between Formal & Informal
Groups
• Structure of Formal and Informal Groups
Formal Informal
The hierarchy and flow of information An informal group does not have
from one member of the group to the structures. This means that there is no
other member is communicated. This chain of command and the flow of
means that there is a chain of commandinformation from one member to the
through which instructions are
other.
administered. conversation in an informal group
Communication in a formal group flows moves sideways without a defined path.
from top to bottom.
 Difference Between Formal & Informal
Groups
• Relationship of Formal and Informal Groups
Formal
The relationship between members is
professional because the group is
created to achieve a specific task or
goal that is controlled by the
management of the organization.
Informal
The relationship between members is
personal. Members know each other at a
personal level thus making their relationship
to be guided by personal aspects. There is
no seniority in the group, which means that
any member can assume a leadership
position.
 Difference Between Formal & Informal
Groups
• Size of Formal and Informal Groups
Formal
Formal groups are usually large
because they are formed with the
purpose of ensuring that they can
achieve goals that measure the success
of the company. Members have skills
and competencies to handle official
activities on behalf of the company.
Informal
Comparatively small because close
friends or people who know one
another on a personal level form them.
This makes it challenging to assemble
many members since not all persons in
an organization know one another at a
personal level.
 Difference Between Formal & Informal
Groups
• Nature/Life of Formal and Informal Groups
Formal
Formal groups are usually stable and
are likely to exist for a lengthy period.
Additionally, the task allocated to a
formal group may last for a long
duration hence making the formal
group exist until the task allocated is
completed.
Informal
Informal groups are not stable because
they are governed by the feelings between
the members. In case the sentiments
between members become volatile, the
group is likely to be dissolved. The length
of life of an informal group is dependent
on the members.
 Difference Between Formal & Informal
Groups
• Behavior and Leadership of Formal and Informal Groups
Formal Informal
A formal group is governed by specific rules Informal group is governed by the expression of
and regulations. All members of the group members, norms, beliefs, and the values that
are supposed to adhere to the rules and members hold dear. There is no official leader of
guidelines that define the group. formal the group to enforce nonexistence rules and
regulations as members do what is necessary to
groups have a defined leadership structure them instead what is imposed.
where there is an official leader who ensures
that the group is in line to achieve its goals
while at the same time enforcing rules
among members.
 Team Working
Teamwork involves a set of tasks and activities performed by individuals
who collaborate with each other to achieve a common objective. That
objective can be creating a product, delivering a service, writing a report, or
making a decision.
Teamwork differs from individual work in that it involves shared
responsibility for a final outcome.
 Key Takeaways
Key Points
• Teamwork involves shared responsibility and collaboration toward a common outcome.
• Teamwork processes can be divided into three categories: the transition process, action processes, and
interpersonal processes.
• Five characteristics of effective teamwork are shared values, mutual trust, inspiring vision, skills, and rewards.
Key Terms
• Teamwork: The cooperative effort of a group of people seeking a common end.
• Conflict resolution: Working to resolve different opinions in a team environment.
• Conflict: Friction, disagreement, or discord arising between individuals or groups.
 Teamwork Processes
While the substance of the tasks involved in teamwork may vary from team
to team, there are three processes that are common to how teamwork gets
done: the transition process, action processes, and interpersonal
processes.
The transition process is the phase during which a team is formed. Activities
include:
• Mission analysis: establishing an understanding of the overall objective
• Goal specification: identifying and prioritizing the tasks and activities
needed to achieve the mission
• Strategy formulation: developing a course of action to reach the goals and
achieve the mission
Action processes comprise the phase during which a team performs its work.
Activities include:
• Monitoring milestones and goals: tracking progress toward completion of tasks
and activities
• Monitoring systems: tracking the use of resources such as people, technology,
and information
• Coordination: organizing and managing the flow of team activities and tasks
• Team monitoring and support: assisting individuals with their tasks by, for
example, providing feedback and coaching
Interpersonal processes include activities that occur during both the transition
and action processes. These include:
• Conflict management: establishing conditions to avoid disagreement and
resolving conflict when it occurs
• Motivation and confidence building: generating the willingness and ability
of individuals to work together to achieve the mission
• Affect management: helping team members to regulate their emotions as
they work together
 Characteristics of Effective Teamwork
Effective teams share five characteristics:
• Shared values: A common set of beliefs and principles about how and why the team members will
work together
• Mutual trust: Confidence between team members that each puts the best interest of the team ahead
of individual priorities
• Inspiring vision: A clear direction that motivates commitment to a collective effort
• Skill/talent: The combined abilities and expertise to accomplish the required tasks and work
productively with others
• Rewards: Recognition of achievement toward objectives and reinforcement of behavior that supports
the team’s work