Overview 

Overview  

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We each tend to think we are 'the norm' and everyone else, whether from a similar background or not, is 'different'. This is of course our perspective! To work effectively with others we need to welcome everyone's contribution as being of equal value and remove any barriers that might stop this happening.    Over the next 20 minutes you will be thinking about the various groups you work with. You will be looking at ways of supporting a multicultural group and at how individuals behave in groups - and how they could behave better! Finally, you will be alerted to the dangers of 'groupthink' and how you can try to avoid it.

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Have a look at the matrix, which gives examples of each type of group.

Think About

Use the matrix to identify the various groups of which you are a member. By doing this you will probably find you are a member of more groups than you imagined. This helps to emphasise just how important working with others is.

Multicultural groups In a global organisation it is likely that the members of any group, no matter what type it is, will be culturally diverse. This trend brings its own challenges. Consider what one multinational company did about this.

Types of groups There are various types of groups in organisations. A useful way of categorising them is to say that groups can be formal (with formal authority or power) or informal (without formal authority). We might also say that they can be primary (where there is regular, frequent interaction) or secondary (where there is not).

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The company asked a team of 40 of its staff from over ten different countries to develop a set of ground rules for maintaining their team's effectiveness, both when they were working together and when they were apart. In drawing up their ground rules the team teased out and discussed 'national assumptions'.The team's ground rules included: Don't prejudge people, functions or cultures Create a climate in which people are not embarrassed to ask questions Don't make assumptions. Check that you are right Don't be impatient Allow people time to express themselves Have the courage to challenge Learn more about the others' cultures Give and ask for feedback Try to eliminate stereotyping Take a positive attitude Accept the differences

Self-oriented Behaviours 

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Next we look at how individuals behave in groups. None of us is perfect. In fact there are many ways in which group members may be less than perfect! Often our behaviour is aimed more at furthering our own personal interests than at helping the group achieve its task. This was described by Kakabadse et al as 'self-oriented behaviour'. Examples of this behaviour include: attacking or defending blocking or stating difficulties diverting seeking sympathy or recognition withdrawing point scoring overcontributing trivialising or diluting.

Think About

Do you instantly recognise any of these behaviours in yourself? If so, why do you behave in this way and should you change your behaviour?

Group Behaviour 

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A final area to think about when working with others is groupthink. This is the danger that members of a group may become too comfortable with each other and adopt a common, unquestioned approach. Ways to avoid groupthink include: Try to have some diversity of opinion in the group. Aim for a moderate rather than high degree of consensus - if it is too high get one or two members to argue against a group decisionor ask new members to join the group. If you are the leader, make it clear you are willing to adopt new ideas.

More About GB 

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The term was originally coined by Irving Janis after his study of several disastrous decisions made by the United States presidency, including the invasion of North Korea and the Bay of Pigs crisis in Cuba. In each case warnings about the dangers were ignored. Janis suggested that under certain conditions commitment to the group overrides the ability to assess situations realistically. These conditions are: The group faces a situation where an important decision has to be made, under severe time pressure. The group is already fairly cohesive. The group has a tendency to isolate itself from outsiders. The leader has a preferred solution which the group actively pursues.

Continue to GB 

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It is important for groups, especially longestablished ones, to realise they are susceptible to groupthink, which can be recognised by the following symptoms: an exaggerated sense of the group's importance and a feeling of invulnerability unanimity the rationalising away of less-preferred options appeals to morality negative stereotyping of opponents pressure on members to conform self-censorship of doubts

Summary You are probably a member of more groups than you realise. Where group members are from diverse backgrounds, agreed ground rules for working together can help to overcome difficulties. Self-oriented behaviours will stop a group working as well as it might. From time to time you might think about the effect your behaviour has on others and identify some areas where you can try to be more constructive. Groupthink is a danger, particularly for wellestablished successful groups

After completing this module you should be able to explain the various categories of groups and identify those to which you belong  ☻ describe ground rules which will help multicultural groups work together  ☻ explain how self-oriented behaviour can detract from a group's achievements  ☻ understand what 'groupthink' is, its dangers and how it can best be avoided. ☻

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