Group and Team Paper

Group and Team Paper

Angela Clark

MGT 307

May 18, 2010

Stew Binder

Group and Team Paper

Many people when hearing the terms group or team think that they are one in the same. The truth of the matter is that these two words mean something entirely different from one another. We use these terms to describe people that engage in an activity together. When someone thinks of a team the first thought is usually that of a softball team or basketball team or something sports related. When thinking of a group such things as a focus group or people who gather to participate in an event. When it come to teams and groups in an organization the difference between these two words become quite clear.

The Difference between a Group and a Team

The definition of a team according to dictionary.com is a number of persons associated in some joint action and for group is any collection or assemblage of persons or things; cluster. (dictionary.com). From the definitions alone the difference is quite clear. A team is developed or assembled when each member of that team has a vested interest in the result. Within a team setting there is not a leader but the process can be very time- consuming. When a team forms there is always that chance that the team will not work well together but when a team does mesh the results can be magical and the team will make effective decisions. Members usually share the responsibilities and are always developing to improve the team. Team members are held accountable for problems that may arise in the team setting and to defuse the conflict they speak directly with the team member he or she is developing the conflict with instead of involving a supervisor.

A group, on the other hand, usually involves appointing a leader and the people inside that group usually are presented one dominant viewpoint. Groups are easier to form than teams. When forming groups the main objective is to discuss the subject given by the group leader and to find...