TERM 4

CHAPTER 22

TEAM PERFORMANCE AND CONFLICT MANAGEMENT

CONTENT DETAILS FOR TEACHING, LEARNING AND ASSESSMENT PURPOSES

Learners must be able to:

TEAMWORK
• Briefly explain/discuss the importance of teamwork
• Outline/Mention/Name/Explain the stages of team development, e.g.:
o Forming
o Storming
o Norming
o Performing
• Identify the stages of team development from given scenarios/statements/case studies.

TEAM DYNAMICS THEORIES

• Briefly explain/discuss the reasons why businesses use team dynamic theories.
• Describe/Explain/Discuss the following team dynamic theories:
o Belbin role theory
o Insight based on Jungian theory
o MTR-I approach
o Margerison-McCann profiles
o Group consensus
• Identify the above-mentioned theories from given scenarios/statements.
• Compare the nature of the abovementioned theories.

CONFLICT MANAGEMENT
• Define the term conflict
• Identify and discuss causes of conflict from given scenarios/case studies.
• Discuss the following conflict management theories:
o Traditional theory
o Contemporary theory
• Select one of the abovementioned conflict management theory and justify the reason why
businesses should use this theory to solve business problems.
• Outline/Mention/Explain/Discuss the function of workplace forums.
• Explain the differences between trade unions and workplace forums.

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 TERMS AND DEFINITIONS

TERM DEFINITION
Team Group of people who work together to achieve a common goal.
Conflict Difference in view and approach
Conflict A practice of identifying and handling conflict in a sensible/fair and
management efficient manner,
Teamwork Interactions with team members to achieve a common goal.
Team dynamics A way in which team members work together in a group.
Forming Team members get to know each other and accept their roles in the
team.
Storming Team members confront each other with their different ideas.
Norming Team members accept each other and set common goals and values
for the team.
Performing Teams are achieving their goals.
Adjourning Team members have to leave a team after completion of the tasks.
Team dynamic Forces that show team responses/behaviours/performance.
theories
Grievance A formal complaint laid by an employee when he/she feels that he/she
has been ill-treated by the employer.
Co- Willingness to co-operate in the team to achieve objectives.
operation/
Collaboration
Consensus A process for group decision making

1 Meaning of teamwork
• Teamwork can be defined as a joint action by a group of people in which each person gives up
his/her individual interests and options for the common goal of the team.
• This means that effective and efficient teamwork goes beyond individual accomplishments.
• Teamwork is a joint effort by group members where they give up their individual opinions and
strive to work together to achieve a common goal.

1.1 Importance of teamwork

• Teams have a common goal/purpose that unite team members.
• Teamwork leads to synergy, commitment, high productivity, employee empowerment, job
satisfaction and organisational effectiveness.
• Effective teamwork can provide a basis for consistency performing at a high level

2 Stage of team development

2.1 Forming stage
• This stage is the initial stage where team members get to know one another.
• Team members think about their new tasks and new environment
• The team learns about team processes and procedures.
• Team members gather information and impressions about each other.
• This is a comfortable stage to be in.
• People focus on being busy with routines, such as team organisation e.g. who does what,
when to meet each other, etc.

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2.2 Storming
• The team begins to face technical, interpersonal and social problems.
• Team members could end up fighting and arguing.
• At this stage, there is conflict because they confront each other with their ideas.
• The true character of team members starts to show as they experience the first round of
conflict
• Different ideas from team members will compete for consideration.
• Team members open-up to each other and confront each other's ideas/perspectives.
• This stage is often unpleasant, but it is necessary for teams to grow.
• Team members need to be matured, patient and tolerant of each other’s ideas and behavior in
order to move successfully to the next stage.

2.3 Norming/Settling and reconciliation

• The team starts working through individual/social issues and start to settle down.
• Team members establish their own norms and behaviour.
• They begin to trust each other, and reconciliation takes place.
• A team develops good interpersonal skills and members become better at problem solving.
• Team members accept each other and set common goals and values for the team.
• Team members form agreement and consensus.
• Roles and responsibilities are clear and accepted.
• Team members have the ambition to work for the success of the team's goals.
• They cross-train and learn new job skills.
• Team members manage time and quality work with growing competence, confidence and
independence.

2.4 Performing/Working together towards achieving a goal

• In this stage, the teams are achieving their goals by helping each other
• Team members are aware of strategies and aims of the team.
• They have direction without interference from the leader.
• Leaders delegate and oversee the processes and procedures.
• Team members know each other and can function as a unit.
• They find ways to get the job done smoothly without conflict/external supervision.
• Conflict disappears, problems are solved, and successive goals are achieved.
• Team members are motivated and can handle disagreements maturely/positively.
• The team takes pride in its own work and accomplishments.

2.5 Adjourning/ Mourning

• In this stage, team members must leave a team and prepare themselves for the next team.
• The focus is on the completion of the task/ending the project rather than on task performance.
• All tasks need to be completed before the team finally dissolves
• It`s also the stage for recognition for participation and achievement.
• Breaking up the team may be traumatic as team members may find it difficult to perform as
individuals once again.

3 Team dynamics
3.1 Meaning of team dynamics
• Refers to unforeseen natural forces that influence how a team responds, behave and performs.
• These dynamics have a major influence on a team’s success or failure
• Team dynamics is the way how people in a team interact with one another.
• The roles that people play in a business and what makes a team successful.

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3.2 Reasons why businesses use team dynamic theories
• Team dynamic theories explain how effective teams work/operate.
• Businesses are able to allocate tasks according to the roles of team members.
• Team members can maximise performance as tasks are allocated according to their
abilities/skills/attributes/personalities.
• Team members with similar strengths may compete for team tasks/responsibilities that best
suit their abilities/competencies.
• Theories assist team leaders to understand the personality types of team members so that
tasks are assigned more effectively.
• Conflict may be minimised when team members perform different roles.

3.3. Types of team dynamic theories

3.3.1 Belbin Role Theory

• This theory explains how team members interact
• People take on different roles and will have dominant and sub dominant roles.
• The Belbin role theory can be used to create balance in a team or recruit members for specific
roles.
• According to this theory an effective team has members that cover the following nine key roles
while performing their tasks:

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