Difference between Group and Team

Group and Team

To understand the difference between group and team. It is important to discuss both group and team in detail. A group is a combination of two or more interdependent persons. Basically who interact with each other to achieve specific goals. On the other, team is also one type of group. However, these people are highly committed to achieve their goals and objectives. Let’s discuss both group and team individually one by one to understand the difference between group and team.

Group and Team Difference 

The group is broadly classified into the following two types which are:

1. Formal Group
2. Informal Group

Formal Group

Formal groups are considered to be such groups that are formed by specific authority within the organizations. Hence, they specifically designed tasks and work assignments. So, the behavior executed by the members of such groups is directed toward the achievement of the identified objectives of the organizations.

Informal Group

Informal group is the opposite of formal group, which is formed automatically in a naturally social way. Thus the behavior shown by the members of informal groups is circulated around the common interests and friendship.

Why do People Join Groups?

There is not any single reason that can be valid for explaining the fact that why people join groups. So there are a number of reasons which are as follows:

Security

Consequently, the strength of numbers shows security. Therefore, people are joined together as a group to feel stronger and resistant to threats.

Status

Another big reason for joining a group is the acquisition of a status and recognition. Although, people join a particular group that has a prestigious status, which becomes a symbolic part of the members of that group.

Self-Esteem

The feeling of self-worth is satisfied by joining a group. Therefore, people satisfy their self-esteems which are accepted by the other members of that group.

Affiliation

The social needs of the people are covered by forming a group. Though that is why people love to join any group to satisfy their need for social relations and friendship.

Power

Another significant reason for joining a group is the reflection and representation of power. Thus that can be helpful for the members to save themselves from the illogical demands. Therefore, to create favorable opportunities through group actions.

Goal Achievement

The final reason for joining a group of people is to achieve certain goals that cannot be accomplished individually. Therefore, they require diversified knowledge and skills.

Role of Group

Roles are linked with particular status and within organizations employees are obliged to play certain roles according to their assigned designations. Moreover, employees are expected to show certain patterns of behavior. Even that are directly related to the accomplishment of objectives of the organization. Each employee plays more than one role and sometimes it creates role conflict also.

Moreover, there are certain roles that are specified to groups and these roles are as follows:

1. Task Oriented Roles
2. Relationship Oriented Roles
3. Individual Roles

Task Oriented Roles

The tasks oriented roles are those roles that are executed for the accomplishment of a particular task. So, this is further divided into the following two types:

1. Initiator & Contributor Roles
2. Information Seeker & Provider Roles

Relationship Oriented Roles

The roles that are directed towards the strengthening of certain social relationships are called relationship oriented roles. Furthermore, these roles are categorized into the following two types:

1. Encourager Roles
2. Harmonizer Roles

Individual Roles

Individual roles are represented by the actions and behavior of single individuals. Thus these roles are also classified as follows:

• Blocker Roles
• Joker Roles

Features of an Effective Group

A group is said to be effective when it shows the following characteristics:

• Atmosphere of the group is relaxed, informal and comfortable.
• Tasks assigned to the members are understood well and then accepted.
• The members of the group listen to each other and make participation in the assigned tasks.
• All the embers of the group know the functions and operations of the whole group.
• The ideas and feelings are properly expressed by the members.
• Although the decision is made through consensus.
• The disagreements and conflicts are based on the methods or ideas not on the personalities.

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Team and Types of Team

The team is defined as a mature group whose members are highly independent and strongly committed for a common objective. Additionally, all teams are groups but all groups are not teams.

There are certain elements that can differentiate a team from a group. Hence, these distinguishing elements are as follows:

• Strong commitment by members for common objectives.
• Mission
• Mutual accountability
• Collaborative environment and Mutual trust 
• Interdependent
• Shared leadership
• Achievement of the synergy

Within organizations, there are four types of teams which are categorized on the basis of the complex tasks performed and the membership fluidity. These categorized teams are as follows:

• Self managed Team
• Cross Departmental team
• Quality Circles
• Virtual Team

Each is discussed one by one.

Self Managed Team

Self managed team consists of members who are not supervised by any manager. Therefore this kind of team has a responsibility of the whole work process or a particular segment. Even that provides a particular product or service to internal or external customers. Self managed team has control on its pace of work and decisions about the assignments of the work. Therefore, the teams that are fully self-managed can evaluate the performances and make selection of members by themselves.

Cross Departmental Team

Cross departmental team is such a team which has high fluidity of membership and which work on simpler jobs. So, the members of this team are changed at an increased rate.

Quality Circles

Quality circles are also called problem solving teams. Besides which are formed to solve a particular issue especially related to quality of process. Although there are eight to ten members in a quality circle team who voluntarily contact each other. As to ascertain the solutions of problems about the quality of process & product etc. These members belong to the similar area of work. So they meet on a regular basis to improve the quality of only specific units. They cannot implement their ideas because they have limited power. Therefore these quality circle teams are established by the organizations in a routine manner.

Virtual Team

Virtual team is an advanced form of team in which the members work together regardless of the distance and time element. Accordingly, this means that the members of such a team have the geographical distance between each other. Although, they make contact with each other through the use of advanced technology. Thus, in this way virtual teams serve as an important factor in the development of the organization. Indeed, in different regions of the country as well as the world.