Theory, tools, and techniques to create and maintain high-performing teams
Group Dynamics and Team Interventions delivers essential knowledge on foundational theories for understanding how groups work as well as practical concepts for intervening to improve teams. The book is modeled after the scientist-practitioner paradigm that is part of applied psychology with an emphasis on both action and research. In this second edition, validated assessment tools are available for free in the book resources section on the author’s website.
Each chapter starts with a way to learn about how well a team is doing through research, then summarizes relevant theory and provides three ideas for intervention. Through the author’s unique approach, this book helps readers understand the basic processes involved in assessing and evaluating teams, finding measurement tools to use for assessment, and equipping themselves with a toolbox of interventions that they might use to help groups and teams perform better.
Sample topics covered in Group Dynamics and Team Interventions include:
- Inputs necessary to understand what teams bring to the system prior to working together, such as how the members, system, and team tasks affects teamwork
- Team outputs, such as performance, productivity, and member satisfaction
- How to collect data through observation, interviews, focus groups, and surveys
- Steps to conduct a culture and inclusion assessment and identify artifacts, espoused values, enacted values, and assumptions
- The goal of synergy and the reality of most teams
Group Dynamics and Team Interventions is an essential learning resource for academics and practitioners who want to understand and then improve the teams with which they work.
Table of Contents:
Preface ix
Acknowledgments xv
About the Companion Website xvii
Chapter 1 An Introduction to Teamwork 1
Chapter 2 Assessing and Evaluating Teams 17
Chapter 3 Creating Effective Team Members 41
Chapter 4 Team Culture and Member Differences 65
Chapter 5 Creating a Strong Team Environment 91
Chapter 6 Improving Team Communication 107
Chapter 7 Strengthening Team Creativity 131
Chapter 8 Making Excellent Team Decisions 151
Chapter 9 Building a Cohesive and Collaborative Team 171
Chapter 10 Reducing Dysfunctional Team Conflict 191
Chapter 11 Developing Team Leaders 219
Chapter 12 Working in Virtual Teams 249
Chapter 13 Striving for Team Synergy 271
Appendix 1: A Checklist for Better Team Meetings 283
Appendix 2: A Checklist for Powerful Team Presentations 289
Appendix 3: A Checklist for Powerful Team Feedback 295
Appendix 4: Creating the Team Assessment Tool 301
References 305
Index 351
About the Author :
Timothy M. Franz, PhD, is a Professor of Psychology at St. John Fisher College and an Industrial and Organizational Psychologist with extensive experience in both academic leadership and organizational consulting. He has served as Chair of the Psychology Department and as Program Director and Chair of the Organizational Learning and Human Resource Development Department. Through Franz Consulting, he works directly with organizations to assess team dynamics and implement performance-improving interventions, bringing practical expertise that bridges research and real-world application.
