Running Header: GROUPS/ TEAMS AND MOTIVATION

Groups/Teams and Motivation Research Tanisha Holland Dr. Schraff Organizational Behavior Business 520 Submitted August 16, 2009

Introduction Vince Lombardi one of the most successful NFL coaches of the century defines groups as an “individual commitment to a group effort, which is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.” [ (Lombardi) ] Every group has a personality of its own, as a result of the unique individuals who come together to form it. [ (Leadership Development within Groups) ] Each group member brings different interests, skills, and goals to the group. Each group members have different values and attitudes. [ (Leadership Development within Groups) ] Groups are very important to an organization and help meet the organization’s goals. There are many types of groups’ formal, informal, command, task, affinity, etc... Groups are stronger when individuals come from different backgrounds (spiritual, cultural, political) such diversity forms a sound foundation which offers a variety of ideas, values, perspectives, and talents to the group. Individuals learn from one another, and the group benefits from it. [ (Leadership Development within Groups) ] From the managerial perspective, the work group is the primary means by which the managers coordinate individual’s behavior to achieve organizational goals. Management must be aware of individual needs and interpersonal dynamics to manage groups effectively and efficiently because the behaviors of individuals are key to the group’s success or failure. [ (Griffin & Moorhead, 2009) ] When groups are developed there are four stages that managers use when attaining the goals of the organization: mutual acceptance, communication and decision making, motivation and