A. Leader-informal (leads discussion)

C. Manager- Who the supervisor reports to

B. How can a supervisor bring about change in a group?

When people work in groups, there are two separate issues involved. The first is the task and the problems involved in getting the job done. Frequently this is the only issue that the group considers. The second is the process of how the group works together. The group needs to act as one unit to accomplish its task or tasks. However, without due attention to this process, the value of the group can be diminished or even destroyed. In this paper, our goal is to enhance the reader’s knowledge on the formation of a group, its cohesion, how leadership influences a group, group norms and how changing group norms affects the group itself. In order to complete a task you need to gather people and form a group.

What is a group? A group could be defined as people who work together on a common project in an effort to accomplish that task/project. In an article titled, Groups that Work, by Gerard M. Blair, he says, “Every individual in that group must feel as though they belong on the

Failed decisions help explain flawed group norms. Approachable leadership and a cohesive team spirit can improve decisions. Group norms should seek influence from all sides that improves and evaluates possible alternative, a group can benefit from its member’s combined insights. People make decisions sometimes to stay bound into a group by choices in racial fear, employment alienation or low self-esteem. Group norms maintain situational control on areas of lives that adjust to our society.

Direction gives individuals an orientation of tasks to be accomplished based on the priorities set by the leader. The standards you establish and enforce will give your organization order. “Tough training will give them confidence in themselves, their leaders, each other, and their equipment”. (FM-22- 100)

the likelihood of cohesion in the group. (Homans, 1961). Group cohesion will be increased by success in achieving the groups’ goals, (Sherif& Sherif, 1953). Group cohesion will be increased when there is a low frequency of required external interactions (HOmans, 1950). Finally, group cohesion will increase under conditions of abundant resources, (

If a supervisor presses the group to conform to a new norm that is viewed as a threat to the security needs of group members, the group will become more unified in order to withstand the perceived threat. With the passing of the threat the group can lose its cohesiveness. A supervisor can involve the group members in the decision-making process. Input from group member’s will not only reduce their feelings of alienation, but also improve communication between the supervisor and subordinates, reducing potential conflict (http://www.accel team.com).

Some topics in this essay:
Reference Library, Gerard Blair, Hendrick Epstein, Measure Norms, Sherif& Sherif, Festinger Schacter, Stages Change, sense belonging, Leadership Leader-informal, Looks Manager-, process input, improve communication, communication supervisor, decision-making process, potential conflict, supervisor involve, improve communication supervisor, norms norms, norms help, decision-making process input, withstand perceived threat, norm viewed, unified withstand perceived, perceived threat passing,