Composition and structure
As far as this paper is concerned, I observed a departmental meeting in our organization. Every organization has committees or departmental meetings that are always necessary for long term sustainability. This implies that they are formed with an objective that is supposed to be achieved as time goes by. Group composition plays an important role in defining what the group is supposed to achieve.
As far as the departmental group is concerned, it was composed of members of the department and representatives from the management to deliberate on certain issues. In this case, the meetings are held every now and then to look at how the department can increase its performance by enhancing productivity. This is because the department is the core of the organization which implies that it should always lead from the front.
The purpose of the group was to look at arising issues that are supposed to be dealt with at a departmental level before they can be forwarded to the management. In addition, it was supposed to look at the productivity of members within the group. This is based on their performance and problems that they might encounter in the course of discharging their duties.
In a broad perspective, the purpose of the group was to help employees achieve organizational goals. The goal of the group was to enhance effectiveness and productivity of employees within the department. This is done every now and then because productivity plays an important role in the long term sustainability of the organization.
Another goal was to motivate employees because managing teams is always difficult than managing individuals. The meeting was also supposed to increase commitment and thereby create a sense of shared responsibility. As far as the demographic nature of the group is concerned, it was composed of both genders. The group had eleven members of which five were female while the rest were male.
When looked at from an educational level point of view, both members had attained university education in different disciples. This is because there was supposed to be proper representation for long term sustainability.
In this case, it should be known that the organization employs highly competent individuals as far as education is concerned. This composition was arrived at because of the need to build confidence in the department and thereby motivate the whole team to accomplish set goals.
Behavior and dynamics
It should be known that group behavior is influenced by the presence of others and that is why I can say that general behavior within this group was good and positive. Members of the group were able to reach a consensus on various issues which implies that they were well behaved and orderly as far as the meeting was concerned.
Members of the group were acting in a coordinated way because of the need to achieve goals that could not be achieved on an individual level. There was competition interaction within the group because competition has always enhanced quality. In this case, members were free to give out their views on different topics and issues that were being discussed.
This implies that they were not restricted to give their contributions. In a broad perspective, members of the group were accommodative of each other because everybody was given a chance to express himself.
The behavior of the group based on the frequency of interaction was also good which means that everybody was a team player. The behavior of members within a group can either make or break it as time goes by which requires proper evaluation.
There was goal compatibility within the group because members of the team were forwarded by other employees. Member exchanges were positive because team members were supposed to change roles as time goes by. As far as group dynamics are concerned, decision making was well understood by all members because they were consulted in all occasions by committee officials.
This means that their views were incorporated in the final decision that was arrived at. Group dynamics are very important in understanding teams and that is why everything was followed to the later. There was no notable group conflict which was as a result of good and effective leadership.
This implies that team members knew their roles well. As a matter of fact, the social group was a good source of individual identity. Groups influence decision making in one way or the other which explains why positive influences enabled the group to progress without any problem or major conflict.
Conformity, group polarization, and groupthink
When it comes to conformity, there was no problem because every member of the group had changed his behavior and beliefs to fit within the group. In this case, members did not have any issue because they shared a common goal that was geared towards achieving the same objective.
Most notably, members had an easy time matching their beliefs and attitudes to what others in the group had perceived to be normal because they had been effectively chosen.
It should be known that the influence of conformity on individuals occurs in a small group which was done in the presence of others (Cohen, 1998, p. 23). Everybody was required to conform to what the group stood for because of the need to achieve different objectives within the shortest time possible.
Group polarization in this group was visible because there were times when extreme decisions could be made than the initial inclination of members. This was mostly evident where tough decisions that had an immediate impact on the operations of the department were supposed to be made.
As far as risky decisions are concerned, there was always a problem because some members feared the repercussions which therefore required effective leadership for long term sustainability. Groupthink as a phenomenon did not occur in the group because members were not under any pressure to minimize conflicts with an aim of reaching consensus.
In this case, there was no critical decision that was made without evaluating alternative ideas or viewpoints. It should be known that there are cases where groupthink can impact decision making which should be evaluated for long term sustainability (Cohen, 1998, p. 34).
Overall effectiveness
As far as overall effectiveness of the group is concerned, it was able to achieve its objectives and goals without any problem. In fact, members were unanimous in decisions that were agreed on which made it easy for implementation as time went by. Effectiveness was seen in all fronts that can be used to evaluate if a group has been successful in achieving its objectives.
In fact, the group was able to bond effectively thereby creating a good relationship that enhanced productivity within the department. The impact of group dynamics on individual behavior was felt because of the need for conformity.
Most notably, members had to change their beliefs and attitudes for the sake of the group. This means that everybody had his/her own views on how best the group could move forward but they had to compromise. Group dynamics were able to create social relationships that did not exist initially before the group started working together as a team.
Reference List
Cohen, D. (1998). Culture, social organization and patterns of violence. New York: Harper.