This case presents issues of teamwork, group process, group norms, leadership, motivation, conflict, and conflict resolution.

Christine Spencer is concerned about her organizational behavior group work project. The allotted mark will be given to the team as a whole, and her group is experiencing difficulties with one of its members, Mike. During the initial group meeting, Mike appeared to get along with everyone, and seemed jovial and content. However, once the time came to begin meetings about the OB assignment, Mike frequently could not make meetings, saying he had to work and only sending brief rough notes along for his contribution. He avoided the group at times, but became angry and defensive when he thought that they were meeting without him. A week later, Mike had phoned Christine and explained that he had been having problems with his girlfriend, on top of the pressure of his course load and his job. Although Christine empathized with him, she was concerned about the group, the project and her mark, and wondered how to deal with the situation.

Christine should consider discussing this with the rest of the group, and then discuss the problem with Mike. This is part of the group process that does not appear to have happened yet. They cannot go to the instructor before attempting to address the situation themselves first. They need to figure out how to motivate Mike, despite his obvious pressures.

REVIEW QUESTIONS AND SUGGESTED ANSWERS

1. How could an understanding of the stages of group development assist Christine in leadership situations such as this one?

2. What should Christine understand about individual membership in groups in order to build group processes that are supportive of her workgroups performance?

3. Is Christine an effective group leader in this case? Why or why not?