Chapter 5Working in Teams 165EXHIBIT 5-5 Roles Required for Effective Team FunctioningFunction Description ExampleRoles Initiating Stating the goal or problem, “Let’s set up an agenda for
that build task making proposals about discussing each of the problems
accomplishment how to work on it, setting we have to consider.”
time limits.
Seeking Asking group members for “What do you think would be
information specific factual information the best approach to this,
and opinions related to the task or problem, Jack?”
or for their opinions about it.
Providing Sharing information or “I worked on a similar problem
information opinions related to the task last year and found.. .”
and opinions or problems.
Clarifying Helping one another under- “What you mean, Sue, is that
stand ideas and suggestions we could... ?”
that come up in the group.
Elaborating Building on one another’s “Building on Don’s idea, I think
ideas and suggestions. we could.. .”
Summarizing Reviewing the points covered Appointing a recorder to take
by the group and the different notes on a blackboard.
ideas stated so that decisions
can be based on full
information.
Consensus testing Providing periodic testing on “Is the group ready to decide
whether the group is nearing a about this?”
decision or needs to continue
` discussion.Roles Harmonizing Mediating conflict among “Don, I don’t think you and Sue
that build other members, reconciling really see the question that
and maintain disagreements, relieving differently.”
a team tensions.
Compromising Admitting error at times of “Well, I’d be willing to change if
group conflict. you provided some help on.. .”
Gatekeeping Making sure all members have “Sue, we haven’t heard from
a chance to express their ideas you on this issue.”
and feelings and preventing
members from being interrupted.
Encouraging Helping a group member make “I think what you started to
his or her point. Establishing a say is important, Jack. Please
climate of acceptance in the group. continue.”Source:“Team Processes,” in Managing for the Future, ed. D. Ancona, T. Kochan, M. Scully, J. Van Maanen, and D. E. Westney (Cincinnati, OH:
South-Western College Publishing, 1996), p. 9.developing friendships.^50 However, the researchers also found that in teams that reported
almost 100 percent friendship, performance was much lower. These groups tended to iso-
late themselves from others and not seek outside influences. The research on friend-
ships in teams suggests that teams of friends may be less concerned with productivity and
more concerned with maintaining their relationship than are teams of strangers.