Are you working as a group or a team? Do you know the difference between teamwork and group work? Depending on the required outcomes, employees can be encouraged to work either as a group or a team. Use the following statements to see how employees tend to work together to meet their deliverables.
Working Interdependently or Independently
Team members work interdependently to achieve team goals and they believe that they are more likely to likely to achieve the goals if they support each other.
Group members work independently and have individual goals that can be personal or role specific. They hold themselves accountable and responsible for achieving these goals with or without the support of others.
Working Collaberatively or Individually
Team members feel a sense of pride and community at being a part of a bigger picture. They are committed to the greater good of the whole and feel excellence is achieved by being in unison.
Group members feel a sense of pride in their individual accomplishments. They are committed to excellence but see their role as integral only to their role specific duties.
Group or Team Strengths and Talents
Team members identify strengths and talents of their teammates and encourage and support them to work to their potential within the group.
Group members tend to be part of the group due to their individual strengths and talents as defined by their role within a multi-disciplinary group.
Discussing Ideas as a Group or a Team
Team members encourage and support the ideas and perspectives of their teammates including opposing opinions. They build a sense of trust where there are no stupid questions.
Group members may act more cautiously unless they feel they are respected for their unique points of view within the group.
Team and Group Values
Team members value honesty, respect and integrity and practice active listening when others within in the team are speaking.
Group members act competitively and this may encourage them to hold information close and not share it with other group members if they feel it may give them a competitive edge.
Physical Work Environments of Groups and Teams
Team members tend to arrange their workstations as a grouping and/or prefer to get together in one room to discuss strategic planning.
Group members may work in isolation and may have work stations that are physically separated.
Resolving Conflict in Teams and Groups
Team members see conflict as positive and a natural way for teammates to express their divergent opinions or new ideas. They work together to resolve conflicts constructively.
Group members prefer to avoid conflict. Conflict may arise in a group due to competitive stress and they may not see resolving conflict as a priority. Instead, it may be seen by those who are not involved in the conflict as a competitive edge.
Decision Making in Teams and Groups
Team members participate equally in decision making but may nominate a leader to encourage consensus when needed.
Group members prefer to make their own decisions. If a group leader makes a decision it is due to their designated role and associated power as leader by upper management. They may go along with a decision if they see that being agreeable will give them a competitive edge.
Depending on the nature of the business and what needs to be accomplished, corporate leaders may decide to encourage teams or groups to form for projects or assign employees into work units. Use the descriptions above to understand how to motivate employees to work either as team or a group as desired.
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