Lesson 10: Group Dynamics in Disasters: Managing Work Groups

Abstract

Groups are assigned or formed to perform tasks that one person cannot accomplish alone. This lesson describes the classification of work groups, group unity, leadership, motivation, recognition, conflict resolution, and remediation associated with managing groups and their activities. Advantages associated with group process include 1) the generation of better ideas, 2) ability to assume greater risks; make fewer errors; 3) the capacity for greater knowledge and 4) information, and for some problems, production of better decisions. Groups may be formal or informal. Formal groups may be organic, task-directed, or committees. Informal groups arise when it becomes obvious that a group will work better or may be formed by a discipline within the organization or through friendships. The size of the group its status within the organization, the goals established, and the dependence of the members on the group all may affect the cohesiveness of the group. Leadership of the group must keep the group focused on the objectives and enhancement of the efficiency of its operation and the quality of the decisions made by the group. Motivation of a group often is more difficult than is that for individuals and generally positive inducements work better than do negative measures such as coercion and reprimands. Roles are often informal and conferred by the group collectively. Often norms are established within groups that help the group deal with conflict. Inadequate performance within a formal group may require changes in the leadership, removal of a member or clique within the group, reduction of group size, and/or dissolution of the group. Understanding the dynamics of groups is an essential skill required of good managers.