Columbia College
Introduction
This paper provides a critique of an article “Group dynamics and Team building” written by Nazzaro A and Strazzabosco J. Thesis statement: The possible ways to improve group dynamics and team building. The theories presented in this article are reflected from the “workshop on group dynamics and team building, presented at the WFH Global NMO Training Workshop May 16-18, 2002, in Huelva, Spain” Nazzaro & Strazzabosco, 2009, pg 5.
Summary
Nazzaro is from National hemophilia Foundation (USA) while Strazzabosco is a consultant and trainer in USA. The authors of this article, covers the topic of group dynamics and team building in different perspectives including: understanding the group dynamics, how to get acquainted to the group, the group problem solving, and clarification of expectations, team building, team development and achievement of the group consensus. The authors of this article used secondary methods of gathering evidence in preparation of this article.
Though they built a logical argument on their work, I am of contention to some of the contents in the article. Firstly, they have specified that the content of the article is specifically based on the cultural context of the Western Europe. In my opinion, teams comprise of people from different regions having different cultural backgrounds. Therefore, they would have developed theories that cut across cultures and not just the western culture. According to the article “managing a geographically dispersed team” by Mind Tools, days when teams generally needed to be in a similar physical location for them to work effectively are long gone.
This article provides a counter-argument to that by Nazzaro & Strazzabosco, which stating that colleague workers are based in different cities, buildings, countries or even continents. It goes on to state that it is possible for teams to speak different languages, be in different time zones and also be part of different cultures.
However, the evidences provided by the article are still valid. This is because the theories discussed are in use in United States and are thus applicable. The authors’ main aim was to show the relevance of understanding group dynamics and ways to make an effective team. In my own view, they were successful in making their point.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I agree with the authors. This is because the theories stated are applicable in most cultures despite stating that they were designed in the cultural context of Western Europe. Therefore, my general opinion to this article is that the content can be very helpful in maintaining the health of a team and hence their accomplishments.
Reference
Mind Tools. Managing people with low ambition. Retrieved on 12th August 2013 from:
www.mindtools.com/pages/article/low-ambition-workers.htm
Nazzaro A & Strazzabosco J (2009). Group dynamics and team building. World federation of
Hemophilia. Retrieved on 12th August 2013 from: www.wfh.org/publication/files/pdf-1245.pdf
Introduction
This essay provides a critique of an article by Tintin titled “Team building in the workplace”. This article is found on buzzle. Thesis statement: Joint effort through teamwork leads to more success as compared to an individual effort.
Summary
Tintin, the author, is a blogger at Buzzle. The author begins by stating the relevance of teamwork in the extraction of the best in the workforce of a worker. He then goes on to state the importance of building a teamwork and gives simple team building practices in the workplace. The author also provides some slogans on team building by renowned personnel in an effort to support his thesis. While concluding, Tintin demonstrates the effective use and interpretation of evidence that lead the reader to the same conclusion. The argument built by the author is logical apart from one issue that I partly disagree with. As a practice of team building in a workplace, the author proposes promotion of informal addressing. He states “step out of the traditional formal way of employee-boss interaction and speak freely” Tintin, pg 1. The author states that promotion of informal communication has an advantage of encouraging idea sharing, open communication and help maintain healthy relations in the workplace. In my opinion, what that should be promoted in the workplace is strict adherence to the formal communication. This is to promote discipline and respect between the management and the staff.
Another article “advantages of formal communication” by Busness Consi states that formal communication is gaining popularity day by day. This article provides a counter argument given that the article by Tintin termed the formal communication as a traditional form of communication. According to Business Consi, formal communication ensures that the goals of an organization are successfully achieved. It provides several advantages that emanate from using formal communication in an organization. These advantages include smooth communication system, increase in efficiency, discipline among the staff members, less mistakes and errors, proper co-ordination of work, reliability and normal flow of work.
In my view, the article and the evidence are still valid leading to a valid conclusion. This is because most of the argument provide by Tinta is applicable in many organizations, including the use of informal communication. The author was successful in making his point as he has demonstrated the importance of team building and given the reasons why team work is preferred in the workforce.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I have agreed with the author that team work is better than individual work in the workforce. This is because teamwork work enables open and better communication among the employees and the higher management. It also contributes to employee motivation, improves trust among employees, thereby improving productivity. Generally, if the principles of Tintini are adopted by organizations, then they would surely have the benefits of team building as he has stated.
Reference
Tintina (2011). Team Building in the Workplace. Buzzle. Retrieved on 12th August 2013 from:
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/team-building-in-the-workplace.html
Business Consi. (2013). Advantages of formal communication. Retrieved on 12th August 2013
