Teamwork is inevitable in all lines of work. When working in a team people often lose sight of where they belong in the group, which can cause problems and ultimately make working with a team uncomfortable. One of the most common issues teams’ encounter is groupthink. Groupthink is the pressure to conform to an idea when the team is seeking consensus. Usually, pressure occurs when team members are pushed to meet a deadline. To avoid problems such as groupthink the team must establish roles so that everyone can play their part in the team. It is important that everyone in the team understands their purpose, function and responsibility in order to work efficiently.
Roles
1.
Direct. Direct team members are most commonly
known as managers or group directors. These are people who generally will
create the structure of the group and ensure that members stay on task; giving
people the push they may need.
2.
Spirited. Spirited team members are most
commonly known as the innovators and coordinators. These people often inspire
others to be positive and always create solutions to arising problems.
3.
Considerate. Considerate team members are most
commonly known as counselors or human resources generalists. They usually keep
the team together and listen to everyone’s perspective in the group. These
people also tend to put aside their need for the needs of the group.
4.
Systematic. Systematic team members are usually
the achievers. They are those who get the work done. While they are opposite to
the spirited team members, they tend to be more aligned with accuracy,
precision and objectivity.
Identifying your role in the group
can make a difference in avoiding groupthink. However sometimes knowing where
you fit is not enough. Groupthink may still occur. Members may still be pushed
into consensus and disregard alternative perspectives. Along with identifying
your role it is important to be open minded. If I were to fall into a specific
role I think I would fall into the direct role. I have the tendency to be
organized and help direct the group to accomplish the objectives. However
sometimes this means I am impatient and cause other to feel pressured to meet
the deadline. Which role do you think you most fit in with? 
It's pretty cool, because I had learned about this in class. I think it's important to not agree just because you're being pressured. You have to stand by what you believe in. To me, sometimes groups are divided into people who do work and people who don't do work. :) As for what role I am, I would say that I am either the direct or systematic.
ReplyDeleteI really love this post because it reminds us of how important teamwork is. In school, I was always a person who would prefer to do work by myself because then I know it'd be done right! But, this wasn't always an option and I began to take initiative organizing the group, delegating tasks, and taking on the most important job. This helped to relieve my anxiety that something would go wrong. I'm not sure if that makes me direct or systematic but, I'd like to think that I'm also considerate and come up with solutions to problems. Perhaps, I need to back off and allow others to fill those roles. Thanks for the info!
ReplyDeleteI learned about groupthink in my management class last semester. It was really interesting when my professor taught us how some people would just agree just because they are pressured. I think it is essential to give your opinion instead of just agreeing to something you are not sure about. Also every role in a team is important so no one should feel they are been pressured by anyone. I think I would fit in the systematic role. I am really keen about my getting my work done on time. It feel really bad when I don't get any of my work done on time. So systematic role would be perfect for me.
ReplyDeleteI believe teamwork is very important, especially in healthcare. Most of classes require me to work in groups of three or four and I have learned it is important to communicate well amongst each other. I also believe that I work best alone, but I can also work well with others. I have a harder time stating my opinions and disagreements in group. I think that I am a systematic team member because I usually finish most of the work and just turn in to the rest of the group members.
ReplyDelete