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3.2.3.1.9 Group dynamics Typeit
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Understanding how individuals work together in a group helps a coach effectively manage the interactions of the members of their team to improve team performance. A group can be defined by the interaction and communication between members who share a common and identity. It differs from a collection of individuals who might have contrasting philosophies and conflicting ideas that hinder performance compared to the cohesive unit experienced in a group. In order to avoid the breakdown in communication that is likely to occur as a result, it is important to understand how a group is formed, and the stages involved in this process.
Tuckman created a model to help explain the formation of groups that uses four key stages:
- – The initial stage involves the superficial establishment of a group, where each individual focuses on what they can contribute to the team and begins to understand the qualities of others. Roles and responsibilities are yet to be decided.
- – The emergence of each individual's personality occurs at this stage, where personalities might clash, which might result in the disbandment of the group. This conflict is overcome by making compromises and trialling what each individual can contribute to the team. Problems are identified, and the majority of focus is placed on improving the performance of teammates rather than the member’s own. Progressing from this stage is difficult but needs to be done in order to ensure successful team formation.
- – This stage involves problem-solving, where teammates work together to find solutions to any differences apparent in the storming stage. This stage helps the members identify their own roles within the team, providing constructive feedback to one another to increase team cohesion. Progress starts to be made.
- – This stage is characterised by successful team performance. Each team member contributes to the greater cause by carrying out their own roles to bring success to the team. Team togetherness is mastered and the team can easily adjust to the incomings of new members and the outgoings of old members.
Cohesion is the tendency of a group of individuals to reach a shared goal. It consists of two types:
- cohesion – Individuals on a team working together and focusing on the goal they have set out to achieve.
- cohesion – The positive interrelationships of the group members helping to support each other.
A cohesive team is one in which the individual team members work positively together, and this can be beneficial in competition as it ensures that the team members are on the same page.
The relationship of each individual's contribution to the team’s productivity, and the degree of success from the team’s interaction, can be explained using Steiner's model of . This model can be summarised by the equation:
actual productivity = – losses due to
The losses in this equation may be attributed to two reasons:- Losses in as a result of the individuals not successfully directing their efforts in a cohesive or an efficient way. An example of this may be a team that, on paper, is the favourite to win a game due to the abundance of individual talent, but falls short due to the inability of its members to work together.
- Losses in as a result of individuals in a group lacking effort and intention to work effectively with one another. For example, a team falling behind in a fixture may be lacking in members of the team who help other players to keep their heads held high and transform pessimism into optimism.