Team Development: The Formation of Informal Work Groups“Informal groups have a powerful influence on an organization's effectiveness and can even subvert its formal groups . But the role of the informal group is not limited to resistance. The impact of the informal group on the larger formal group depends on the norms established by the informal group. Therefore the informal group can also make the formal organization more effective”. Informal groups can be a manager's best friend or worst enemy. Team Development: The Formation of Informal Work Groups Informal work groups are part of any work environment; the way they are formed, the leadership within the group, and the way these groups communicate, follow the same basic model. “Teams are particularly good at combining talents and providing innovative solutions to possible unfamiliar problems.” “There are five stages of group development. The first is formation, which is when the group comes together for the first time. Usually everyone is polite. Conflict is rarely expressed directly. Individuals will be cautious in their opinions and reserved.” The second form of development is “storming a chaotic competition for leadership and dragging the group's actions.” The third is normative while the second phase evolves, the rules of engagement for the group are established and the goals of the group's task or responsibilities are clear and agreed upon. The fourth is to perform, not all groups get to this point. Everyone knows each other well enough to work together. And the fifth phase is updating; it is about the completion and disengagement of tasks and group members. Informal work group formations are employed by an organization to perform specific functions. Informal groups almost always arise... half of the paper... Your self-esteem. http://a-self-confidence.com/ “A self-confidence. Com. Increase your self-esteem in the workplace. http://a-self-confidence.com/self-stima-workplace.php Boosting Employee Morale in a Down Market April 28, 2003 http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/gi_0199-1164249/boost- employee-morale -in-a.html Group dynamics http://www.brianmac.co.uk/group.html “Informal group dynamics”. Communications Network 2008 http://www.accel-team.com/work_groups/informal_grps_03.html Tubbs, Stewart L. “A Systems Approach to Small Group Interaction” Nierenberg, Andrea. “Eight essential communication skills.” Small business advocate. 2008 http://smallbusinessadvocate.com/smal-business-help-article/eight-essential-commu>. “How to Communicate Powerfully Through Email.” Mental tools. http://www.mindtools.com/commskll/emailcommunication.html {text: bookmark-start} {text: bookmark-end}