The purpose of this paper is to explain the differences between a group and a team. The importance of workplace diversity in an organization will also be examined and how it relates to team dynamics in the workplace.
A group is easier to form than a team. A group consists of two or more people who have formed together in the workplace or assembled to complete assigned tasks. A group shares views, information, and assists group members to make decisions in his or her assigned area. Individuals can join a group for a number of reasons such as self-esteem, security, power, or to achieve certain goals. There are two types of groups, they are formal and informal. Formal groups within organizations have a set structure and assigned tasks to accomplish. Informal groups are naturally formed for social contact.
A team is an integrated effort of a group of individuals, normally less than 10, who work together creating positive synergy with the results greater than that of individual efforts. There are numerous types of teams such as cross-functional teams, problem-solving teams, and self-managed work teams. Cross-functional teams are formed to complete an assigned task; members are from different work areas, but at the same level. Problem-solving teams work together to generate new ideas to improve his or her work area. Self-managed work teams accept his or her former leaders tasks (Schermerhorn, 2008). Teams tend to be more concerned with the general success of an organization rather than individual success.
Teams can be part of a group however groups are not part of teams. There are quite a few differences between groups and teams. They are both held accountable yet the difference between them is a group holds individuals accountable and teams hold individuals and every team member accountable. They both hold meetings, but the difference is a group meets to share information and a team meets to discuss, make decisions, solve
References: Brounstein, Marty. Differences between work groups and teams. Retrieved from http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/differences-between-work-groups-and-teams.html Robbins, S. & Judge, T. (2009). Organizational behavior (13th ed). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Princeton Hall. Schermerhorn,J., Hunt, J. & Osborn, R., (2008). Organizational behavior (10th ed). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.